Electroscopic (e.g., Movable Electrodes Or Electrostatic Elements) Patents (Class 345/85)
  • Patent number: 7133183
    Abstract: Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. The instant invention can contribute to the goal of achieving environmentally clean solar energy to be competitive with conventional energy sources. Method and apparatus are presented for coupling to a transparent sheet with an embedded array of preformed or formable mirrored micro-balls for use in a solar energy concentrator, and functionally similar applications such as optical switches and solar rocket assist. Mirrored micro-balls and particulate formable mirrors in cells are covered with a thin spherical shell of lubricating liquid so that they are free to rotate in an almost frictionless encapsulation in the sheet. Induced polarization electric or magnetic dipoles in the mirrors provide a method of controlling the alignment of the mirrored balls. Electrophoretically and magnetophoretically forming mirrors in situ on a rigid surface in a rotatable cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Mario Rabinowitz
  • Patent number: 7130102
    Abstract: This invention deals with the broad general concept for dynamic reflection, illumination and direct image projection. A mini-optics reflection and focussing system is presented that ranges from interior illumination, to exterior illumination, to large scale space based illumination, to ordinary and to telescopic image formation. It can be used both as a source of illumination, and to project images, figures, and the written word. This system has broad applications such as dynamic full color displays. Its use of a novel induced dipole coupling for rotation of planar mirrors lets it operate with greater simplicity and efficiency than other display devices. Furthermore in its capacity as a high altitude active reflector of solar radiation, it can be utilized to supply illumination, energy, and provide climate control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Mario Rabinowitz
  • Patent number: 7119940
    Abstract: A capacitively coupled microelectromechanical device and method of operation. The micromechanical device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a member operable to deflect about a torsion axis to either of at least two states; and a switch driven for selectively connecting the member to a voltage signal. When a logic high signal is stored on the memory capacitor 308, the mirror transistor 310 is turned on, grounding the mirror structure 312. When a logic low signal is stored on the memory capacitor 308, the mirror transistor 310 is turned off, allowing the mirror to float electrically. Mirrors that are tied to a voltage potential, which typically are grounded, are affected by a reset pulse and rotate away from their landed position. When the mirrors have rotated to the opposite side, a bias signal is applied to hold the repositioned mirror in place in the opposite state. Mirrors that electrically are floating do not experience the forces generated by the reset voltage and remain in their previous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard L. Knipe
  • Patent number: 7116295
    Abstract: A method and a system for testing a plurality of driver circuits of an AMOLED before OLEDs are formed are provided. Each driver circuit includes a terminal, which is connected to an OLED after the OLED is formed, and is connected to a test element to form an electrical loop during the test. The system selects one specific driver circuit to test. The method and the system measure the value of a current signal flowing through the test element, and then analyze it to determine the status of the driver circuit. The said steps executed repeatedly, all driver circuits of the AMOLED are tested efficiently and precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TPO Displays Corp.
    Inventor: An Shih
  • Patent number: 7106315
    Abstract: An image display unit includes a linear display device. The linear display device is line-scanned to display a two-dimensional image. The linear display device has a video signal protection function. In the linear display device, video protection can be implemented using a very simple system for turning off some pixels. Device ID information can be embedded into a display terminal using the image display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Suehiro Nakamura, Michio Oka
  • Patent number: 7081872
    Abstract: Disclosed are a micromirror device made in a simple structure using interdigitated cantilevers and having two stable rotational states, and applications thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Koeng Su Lim, Jun-Bo Yoon, Jin-Wan Jeon
  • Patent number: 7061455
    Abstract: An optical switching element having a simple configuration and high response and capable of performing gradation display by area gradation is provided. In a state where a light extracting portion is in contact with an upper substrate, light enters the light extracting portion from the upper substrate, emits from the back face of the light extracting portion, is passed through a lower substrate, and becomes transmission light. In a state where the light extracting portion is attracted by the lower substrate side, the incident light is totally reflected by a total reflection face, and total reflection light emits from a V-shaped groove. The incident light can be switched in two directions and obtained as the transmission light and the total reflection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Makino
  • Patent number: 7046228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved EPD which comprises both the traditional up/down switching and the in-plane switching modes. In other words, the improved EPD has dual switching modes. The monochrome EPDs of the present invention are capable of displaying highlight color of choice which is different from the text. For example, white background, blue text, and red highlight can be shown in any selected areas of the display. Furthermore, the full color EPDs of the present invention are capable of displaying high contrast images of high color saturation. Both high quality black and white states are possible in the full color displays of the present invention. The EPDs of the present invention do not need complex circuitry design, and are compatible with low cost and high yield roll-to-roll manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong-Chang Liang, Jerry Chung, David Chen
  • Patent number: 7030855
    Abstract: A wearable pixelated apparel video-displaying system is disclosed comprising at least one flexible lightweight pixelated material having a contiguous imaging surface comprised of a multitude of pixels capable of displaying typical video rate, video image content which is contiguous in appearance and which covers up to all of the surface. The apparatus is equipped to playback, control and display imagery according to the size and the shape of one or more pixelated material segments making up the video-displaying apparel. The apparatus has an input/output interface a digital media content playback device, a user interface means for a user to communicate with the apparatus and to control the playback of at least one source of video content. In one embodiment the pixelated-image displaying apparel is contiguously formed into a single garment. In a second embodiment a plurality of apparel segments are adjoined to one another by attachment, and are electronically coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Darrell J. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 7006276
    Abstract: A MEMS optical display system includes an illumination source for providing illumination light, a collimating lens for receiving the illumination light and forming from it collimated illumination light, and a microlens array having an array of lenslets for receiving the illumination light from the collimating lens. The converging microlens array directs the illumination light through an array of pixel apertures in an aperture plate to a microelectrical mechanical reflector array positioned opposite the aperture plate. The microelectrical mechanical reflector array includes an array of microelectrical mechanical actuators that support reflectors in alignment with the array of pixel apertures and selectively orients the reflectors to direct the illumination light back through the pixel apertures (to form part of a display image) or against the aperture plate (to be blocked). The illumination light passing back through the pixel apertures passes through the microlens array and a beamsplitter to a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary K. Starkweather, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7006083
    Abstract: The invention realizes an image display by wireless communication. There is provided an image display apparatus constituted by an image display unit including an arrangement of plural wireless image forming elements, and a wireless transmission unit. The wireless transmission unit is provided with a wireless transmission circuit, while the wireless image forming element is provided with an image forming element, a wireless element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6989808
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a d.c. voltage source for producing a common voltage such that the common voltage is substantially equal to a central voltage of a bipolar voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Display Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Hanaoka, Yuichi Inoue, Seiji Tanuma, Makoto Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6987601
    Abstract: Device and method for a damping function to reduce undesirable mechanical transient responses to control signals. In one aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce overshoot and oscillation when a digital micromirror is driven from a landing plate to the flat or neutral position. In another aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce transient resonance of a digital micromirror when the micromirror is driven to a landing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kaeriyama
  • Patent number: 6987599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to radiation, such as a photomask a display panel or a microoptical device. The apparatus comprises a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a spatial modulator having multitude of modulating elements (pixels), adapted to being illuminated by said radiation, and a projection system creating an image of the modulator on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems AB
    Inventor: Torbjorn Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 6985278
    Abstract: Device and method for a damping function to reduce undesirable mechanical transient responses to control signals. In one aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce overshoot and oscillation when a digital micromirror is driven from a landing plate to the flat or neutral position. In another aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce transient resonance of a digital micromirror when the micromirror is driven to a landing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry Chung-Hsin Chu, Armando Gonzalez, Thomas D. Oudal
  • Patent number: 6985132
    Abstract: A display device using a cylinder-shaped pixel having a large dipole moment and high response speed and a method for manufacturing the same. In the display device, an organic film is bonded and fixed to a part of or an entire surface of a base material having a volume of less than 1 cm3 via —A—O— bond, where A denotes Si, Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, or via —A—N— bond, where A denotes Si, Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, in the former, the side of O is bonded to the substrate and in the latter, the side of N is bonded to the substrate; the surface region of the base material is divided into two regions in accordance with the kind of organic films or the presence or absence of the organic film, and each of the two regions accounting for 40% or more and 60% or less of the surface area of the base material, a plurality of charged substances in different charged states or with opposite polarities in the two regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Nomura, Tohru Nakagawa, Masahiro Nagasawa, Tadashi Ootake
  • Patent number: 6980350
    Abstract: An optical interference reflective element has a light-incident electrode and a light-reflective electrode, and each or both of the two electrodes are made of a display part and a wiring part which are electrically connected to each other with a connection part. A plurality of the interference reflective elements are connected to form an electrode line by the wiring parts, and the electrode line is used in an optical interference reflective structure formed by the optical interference reflective elements that is operated in a passive matrix mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Prime View International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chung Hung, Hsiung-Kuang Tsai, Wen-Jian Lin
  • Patent number: 6975445
    Abstract: This invention deals with an improveed general concept for a multi-wavelength switching ensemble which is controlled electrically, electromagetically, or magnetically. A switching system is presented that permits the input to control the output. It allows a full 360 degree rotation of the beam which greatly exceeds the rotational capability of conventional systems. Furthermore, the instant invention permits less costly and greater ease of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Mario Rabinowitz
  • Patent number: 6972881
    Abstract: A display has an array of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Switches (MEMS) display elements on a substrate such as glass. Rather than directly drive all columns of the MEMS display elements from off-substrate column drivers, column mux logic is placed on the substrate. The column mux logic uses MEMS contact-switch elements that have additional contact electrodes that touch and make electrical connection when the MEMS switch is closed, but do not touch and isolate the contact electrodes from each other when the MEMS switch is open. Smaller data words of column data is successively loaded into and stored by the MEMS column-mux, which then drives the columns of the display array. The smaller data words require fewer off-substrate connections than if all columns were driven by the off-substrate drivers. An intermediate holding voltage is applied to store column data in the column mux. Off-substrate interconnect is further reduced using on-substrate row-mux MEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Nuelight Corp.
    Inventor: Chester F. Bassetti
  • Patent number: 6963330
    Abstract: An actuated film display device comprises a first fixed electrode, a first movable film electrode, which is placed to face the first fixed electrode to form a first optical path on an opposing side to the first fixed electrode, and which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the first fixed electrode by application of a first potential difference between the first fixed electrode and the first movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the first optical path, a second fixed electrode placed at a predetermined distance from the first fixed electrode, and a second movable film electrode, which is placed to face the second fixed electrode to form a second optical path on an opposing side to the second fixed electrode, which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the second fixed electrode by application of a second potential difference between the second fixed electrode and the second movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugahara, Richard Lang
  • Patent number: 6956332
    Abstract: A display device comprises row (5) and column (6) electrodes and a movable element (3) and means (17) for supplying voltages to the electrodes, wherein the row electrodes are situated on the movable element. The means supply, in operation, such voltages to the electrodes that use is made of the memory effect of the movable element. More in particular, the row electrodes are, in operation, supplied with “on”, “off” and “hold” voltages and the column electrodes are supplied with “hold” and ‘off’-voltages. Application of “on” voltages turns on the pixels in a row, simultaneous application of “off” voltages turns a pixel off. Application of a “hold” voltage to either one of the electrodes preserves the status of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus Gegorius Petrus Van Gorkom, Pierre Leon Hubert Marie Cobben, Johannes Marra
  • Patent number: 6956557
    Abstract: The present invention is for providing an image display device capable of preventing deterioration of display sharpness and contrast, and capable of improving display quality. An image display medium has a display substrate, having a first electrode, disposed on an image display surface side, a rear substrate having a plurality of second electrodes facing the display substrate, and two kinds of particle groups having different colors and charge characteristics sealed between the display substrate and the rear substrate movably between the first electrode and the second electrodes by an electric field. Before application of a display drive voltage for executing the image display, a voltage is applied to the image display medium by a voltage applying component so as to generate an electric field for moving the particle groups between the second electrodes to adjacent the second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Machida, Takeshi Matsunaga, Kiyoshi Shigehiro, Yoshiro Yamaguchi, Yasufumi Suwabe, Motohiko Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 6930660
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display device formed with an array of a plurality of pixels, which comprises: fixed elements with surfaces colored a first color, the fixed elements being arranged in correspondence with the pixels; movable elements with surfaces colored a second color, the movable elements being arranged in correspondence with the pixels; support elements supporting the movable elements at first ends thereof, the support elements being rotatable; and a inclined angle changing device configured to contact second ends of the support elements to change the inclined angle of the support elements; wherein, changing the inclined angles of the support elements allows the movable elements to move between rear surfaces of the fixed elements and adjacent front surfaces of the fixed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Isao Amemiya, Kenichi Mori, Atsushi Sugahawa
  • Patent number: 6924781
    Abstract: The present invention provides for smart and dumb implementations of a stand-alone, remotely updateable, remotely alterable, flexible electronic label. The electronic label provides for displaying information in connection with a mammal, non-mammal, an item or location. The label includes a display assembly having electronic ink disposed on a support, one or more antennas for sending or receiving signals corresponding to one of instructions, programs, data or selected indicia to be displayed by said display assembly, a storage element in circuit with the antenna for storing the instructions, programs, data and indicia, and one or more processors for intelligently determining the indicia to be displayed by the display assembly, for controlling and coordinating operation of the label, and for generating output signals for instructing the display assembly to display the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Visible Tech-knowledgy, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Gelbman
  • Patent number: 6917352
    Abstract: An optical switching element having a simple configuration and high response and capable of performing gradation display by area gradation is provided. In a state where a light extracting portion is in contact with an upper substrate, light enters the light extracting portion from the upper substrate, emits from the back face of the light extracting portion, is passed through a lower substrate, and becomes transmission light. In a state where the light extracting portion is attracted by the lower substrate side, the incident light is totally reflected by a total reflection face, and total reflection light emits from a V-shaped groove. The incident light can be switched in two directions and obtained as the transmission light and the total reflection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Makino
  • Patent number: 6911960
    Abstract: In an active-type electroluminescent (EL) display, a conductor interconnecting a cathode (55) of an EL panel (30, 40) and a connection terminal of a signal input substrate (35) has a multilayer structure formed of a cathode material and a conductive material used in a thin-film transistor forming step. The conductor may be formed of a conductive material used in a thin film transistor forming step. A metal material for a gate electrode or drain electrode is preferably used as the conductive material. The connection conductor structure can reduce the electrical resistance of the connection conductor, thus preventing a decrease in display intensity of an EL display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6906850
    Abstract: A capacitively coupled microelectromechanical device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a member operable to deflect to either of at least two states; and a switch for selectively connecting the member to a voltage signal. When a logic high signal is stored on memory capacitor, mirror transistor is turned on, grounding the mirror structure. When a logic low signal is stored on the memory capacitor, the mirror transistor is turned off, allowing the mirror to float electrically. Mirrors that are tied to a voltage potential, which typically are grounded, are affected by a reset pulse and rotate away from their landed position. When the mirrors have rotated to the opposite side, a bias signal is applied to hold the repositioned mirror in place in the opposite state. Mirrors that electrically are floating do not experience the forces generated by the reset voltage and remain in their previous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard L. Knipe
  • Patent number: 6894677
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Hadi Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, James Sharp, Francisco E. Torres
  • Patent number: 6879314
    Abstract: The invention includes providing a display by moving a colorant particle, having an electric charge, inside a channel of a body in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the channel and a direction of incoming illumination rays. The colorant particle can be moved between a position at a bottom of the channel and at a top of the channel by the force of an electric field generated by a charge at the bottom of the channel. The invention can be applied to an analog dot display as well as a digital dot display. The invention covers methods of manufacturing the displays discussed above. The invention is also not limited to covering displays, and also covers at least print media, wherein colorant particles are locked at appropriate locations within the channels, either temporarily or permanently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Brother International Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Darty
  • Patent number: 6873313
    Abstract: An image display device of this invention includes a pre-charging voltage stabilizing section having current controlling means and charge holding means which respectively include a resistor and a capacitor to stabilize a pre-charging voltage. The charge holding means holds a voltage to be supplied to data signal lines, and the current controlling means suppresses a current flow from a control signal generating circuit, thereby suppressing power fluctuation at the control signal generating circuit. This suppresses fluctuation in the pre-charging voltage and enables data signal lines to be charged to a predetermined voltage, thereby suppressing deterioration of image quality and an increase in power consumption of the image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Washio, Nobuhiro Kuwabara, Hiroshi Yoneda, Shigeto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6864876
    Abstract: A micro-mirror device for an image display apparatus which can change the travel path of incident light by pivoting a mirror, which corresponds to a pixel and can increase optical efficiency by pivoting the mirror in the direction of the sides of the mirror. The micro-mirror device for an image display apparatus includes a substrate, a landing pad provided on the substrate, and a pair of base electrodes provided on opposite sides of the landing pad. A pair of first posts protrude from the upper surface of the landing pad, and are isolated from each other by a predetermined interval. A girder, supported by the pair of first posts, pivots toward the sides of the base electrodes due to an electrostatic attraction. A second post protrudes from the upper surface of the girder. A mirror, which is supported by the second post, reflects incident light, and receives power via the landing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-woo Shin, Soon-cheol Kweon, Hyung-jae Shin
  • Patent number: 6862016
    Abstract: A method and apparatus capable of displaying a high-quality image using a reversible image display medium in which a cell(s) formed between two substrates accommodates at least two kinds of frictionally chargeable dry developing particles having different chargeable polarities and different optical reflection densities in image display, an electric field strength of, e.g., 0.3 V/?m to 3.0 V/?m is applied to the developer. An oscillating force (e.g. oscillating magnetic filed) is applicable and the oscillating force is substantially stopped during application of the electrostatic field. After completion of the electrostatic field, the surface of the medium on the image observation side may be charged to a potential holding the displayed image. Optionally, before image display, an alternating electric field may be applied to stir the developer for initialization of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Matsuura, Hiroshi Mizuno, Akihito Ikegawa, Masaharu Kanazawa, Keyaki Yogome, Takaji Kurita
  • Patent number: 6847347
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Hadi Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, James Sharp, Francisco E. Torres
  • Patent number: 6844953
    Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a substrate having a surface, and a plate spaced from and oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate such that the plate and the surface of the substrate define a cavity therebetween. A dielectrophoretic liquid capable of movement when an electrical signal is applied to the micro-mirror device is disposed in the cavity, and a reflective element is interposed between the surface of the substrate and the plate such that the reflective element is adapted to move between a first position and at least one second position. The dielectrophoretic liquid includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of siloxanes and silanes substantially free of asymmetrical ether linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul F. Reboa
  • Patent number: 6842166
    Abstract: A first electrode layer 12, a first piezoelectric film layer 13, a second electrode layer 14, a second piezoelectric film layer 15, and a third electrode layer 16 are layered in that order on a substrate 11; these are constrained so as not to expand or contract in a thickness direction and a piezoelectric transducer is constructed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Patent number: 6806925
    Abstract: The irregularities of coloring concentration which is generated between dyed media when a color filter substrate which is prepared in a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device is manufactured by supplying ink to dyed media formed on a main surface of the color filter substrate using an ink jet method. In the present invention, as color filter ink which is supplied to the dyed media formed on the color filter substrate using the inkjet method, liquid which contains dye which colors the dyed media, solvent (for example, water) which has an affinity for the dye, a volatility-adjusting agent (for example, glycerin) which lowers the volatility of the ink to a level below the volatility of the solvent, and a dyeing-promoter agent (for example, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) which exhibits a higher affinity for the dye and the dyed media than the volatility adjusting agent. Then, the dyed media is colored with this ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ishii, Miyo Shimizu, Shigeru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 6781565
    Abstract: Lamp wave signals are supplied to signal supply lines via switches. The switches are turned ON when their corresponding scanning lines are selected. Hence, a load on the driving circuit for the lamp wave signals will be a parasitic capacitance that comes from a single signal supply line. PWM signals of having pulse widths based on image data are supplied to data lines. A TFT supplies PWM signals to a gate electrode of a TFT when a corresponding scanning line is selected; therefore, the lamp wave signal is applied to a pixel electrode via the TFT when the data line and the scanning line simultaneously become active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6778155
    Abstract: An SLM PWM clocking method, called “jog clear,” for generating short bit periods where block data clears (74) are inserted between block data loads (72, 76) within a frame refresh period. The method significantly reduces the short bit duration that requires use of the earlier reset-release method and it eliminates undesirable artifacts present in these earlier SLM clocking methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald B. Doherty, Gregory J. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 6771237
    Abstract: Disclosed are cross-talk resistant drive circuitry for electrostatic video displays and flexible, foldable and shaped embodiments of such displays including books, fanfolds and scrolls employing flexible polymer film construction. Transistorless drive circuitry uses row and column dumping capacitors to charge electrostatic pixels in a traveling group to avoid simultaneously charging row-adjacent pixels. Also, individual pixels can be shielded each with their own Faraday cage to control charge leakage from the pixel. The pixels' have spiral rollout shutters whose time parameters can be controlled by the use of suitable bleed resistors. Low-cost film technology manufacturing methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Display Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Kalt
  • Patent number: 6756951
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a driving circuit of a display panel, in which even when an anode line driving circuit is made of a plurality of IC chips, light emission luminance values on the display panel can be uniformed. The display apparatus is made of a plurality of driving circuits having a plurality of light-emission drive current sources each for generating a light-emission drive current to allow a light emitting element of the display panel to emit the light and supplying the light-emission drive current to first electrode lines of the display panel. At least one of the driving circuits is provided with a drive current control circuit for adjusting a current amount of the light-emission drive current to be generated by the driving circuit on the basis of the light-emission drive current generated from the other driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ishizuka, Masami Tsuchida, Tsuyoshi Sakamoto, Hideo Ochi
  • Patent number: 6753998
    Abstract: An optical system of a display including a light conducting plate introduced with light and a panel portion provided to oppose to one plate surface of the light conducting plate. The panel portion includes a driving part arranged with actuator parts each corresponding to a plurality of pixels so as to control displacement motions of the actuator parts in the contacting and separating directions to and from the light conducting plate correspondingly to attributions of input image signals, thereby controlling leaked light-beams in predetermined regions of the light conducting plate, to thereby cause the light conducting plate to display an image corresponding to the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Tsutomu Nanataki, Iwao Ohwada, Isao Shikata, Kei Sato
  • Patent number: 6750843
    Abstract: Provided is a stable display device. The display device includes a pair of substrates that face each other, a spacer formed on one of the pair of substrates, a resin to fix one end of the spacer adjacent to the other substrate to the other substrate, and first and second particles of different colors and different electric characteristics all sealed in the inner space formed by the pair of substrates and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiko Sakamaki, Yoshinori Machida, Kiyoshi Shigehiro, Yoshiro Yamaguchi, Takeshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6741225
    Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating an image on an image surface with N×M image elements which can be illuminated individually, comprising a plurality of semiconductor radiation sources, each of which generates radiation with at least one color, an optical imaging means with a beam guidance, by means of which a plurality of image elements can be illuminated with each of the semiconductor radiation sources, with which it is possible to generate an image on an image surface in as simple a manner as possible using radiation sources, it is suggested that the image surface (12) be divided into a plurality of continuous image surface sections (14), each comprising a two-dimensional ensemble of image elements (16), that an illumination unit (20, 220, 320) be associated with each of the image surface sections (14) and that each illumination unit (20, 220, 320) have at least one semiconductor radiation source (30) and at least one optical imaging means (40, 240, 340) of its own associated with this illum
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Brauch, Hans Opower
  • Patent number: 6717560
    Abstract: A self-illuminating solid-state color image capture device, includes: an array of light emitting elements and light sensing elements formed on a common substrate; the light emitting elements including first color elements adapted to emit light of a first color and second color elements adapted to emit light of a second color, and the light sensing elements being responsive to all emitted colors; and electronics coupled to the light emitting and light sensing elements for sequentially causing the first and second color elements to emit light and sensing the light reflected from a scene being captured with the light sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Cok, David J. Williams
  • Patent number: 6697035
    Abstract: In a moving-film display device, each pixel includes a moving film electrode capable of bending and a counter electrode. The display color of each pixel is determined when the moving film electrode bends by a potential difference between the moving film electrode and the counter electrode. The moving film electrode is connected to a signal line via a TFT. The TFT is turned on/off by an address line. A controller keeps the TFT ON until the potential of the moving film electrode becomes substantially equal to a signal potential, and turns off the TFT before the moving film electrode comes closest to the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugahara, Goh Itoh, Richard Lang, Haruhiko Okumura
  • Patent number: 6693620
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electrophoretic display in which the particle motion is a controlled, non-linear function of the applied electric field. Threshold addressing allows simple, inexpensive passive addressing techniques to be employed. The inverse electrorheological gating techniques allow the construction of a full color, passively addressed display without the need to address individual capsules. A mixture of capsules is coated randomly onto a substrate enabling the creation of inexpensive displays. All the techniques allow a significant threshold to be realized. Rapid movement of the pigment particles above the threshold allows rapid switching times for the display. Since diffusion and gravity are extremely weak forces compared to the yield stresses created, the structured or gelled medium approach provides a great improvement in the bistability of the displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Herb, Ian D. Morrison, Andrew L. Loxley
  • Patent number: 6690344
    Abstract: A display driving device drives a display which includes a plurality of actuators which control light emitted from specified parts of an optical wave guide plate. A first drive circuit controls the row electrodes, while a second drive circuit controls the column electrodes by outputting a data signal. The data signal includes a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot in the display, based on an input image signal. The column electrode drive circuit controls gradation only by a temporal modulation method. A signal processing circuit, which controls the first and second drive circuits, also controls brightness correction data. Brightness correction data are determined upon manufacture of the display and can be modified during the life of the display to correct for brightness deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Tsutomu Nanataki, Iwao Ohwada, Takayoshi Akao
  • Patent number: 6680792
    Abstract: An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Iridigm Display Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Miles
  • Publication number: 20040004592
    Abstract: A MEMS element is constituted as a light modulation element for constituting a GLV device, and has the same constitution as a conventional MEMS element except for differing in the structure of a bridge member of a membrane. The membrane comprises the bridge member comprising an SiO2 film of 20 nm in thickness as a lower layer and an SiN film of, for example, 100 nm in thickness laminated thereon, and a combined light reflective film and membrane-side electrode composed of an Al film of 100 nm in thickness provided on the bridge member. The SiO2 film may be an SiO2 film formed by thermal oxidation of a sacrificing layer formed of polysilicon or may be an SiO2 film formed by CVD method or PVD method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Koichi Ikeda, Takashi Shimada
  • Patent number: 6657772
    Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates, and an adhesive layer and a layer of electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates. The adhesive layer has a volume resistivity in the range of about 109 to about 1011 ohm cm and comprises a mixture of an adhesive material having a volume resistivity of at least about 5×1011 ohm cm and a filler having a volume resistivity not less than about 107 ohm cm, the filler being present in the mixture in a proportion above its percolation threshold in the adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew L. Loxley