Abstract: An aperture control device includes: an aperture first driving member that controls an aperture of a diaphragm through which light flux passes; an aperture second driving member that drives the aperture first driving member; a motor that drives the aperture second driving member; a detection device that detects start of movement of the aperture first driving member caused by the aperture second driving member driven by the motor; and a motor control device that controls an aperture value of the diaphragm by controlling a rotational amount of the motor after the detection device detects the start of movement of the aperture first driving member.

Abstract: A display array which can reduce the row connections between the display and the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements and a plurality of voltage dividers coupled to the array and configured to provide row output voltages to drive the array, wherein each row is connected to at least two inputs joined by a voltage divider.

Abstract: A system and method for an optical component that masks non-active portions of a display and provides an electrical path for one or more display circuits. In one embodiment an optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements on the substrate, each optical element having an optical characteristic which changes in response to a voltage applied to the optical element, and a light-absorbing, electrically-conductive optical mask disposed on the substrate and offset from the plurality of optical elements, the optical mask electrically coupled to one or more of the optical elements to provide electrical paths for applying voltages to the optical elements. In another embodiment, a method of providing an electrical signal to optical elements of a display comprises electrically coupling an electrically-conductive light-absorbing mask to one or more optical elements, and applying a voltage to the mask to activate the one or more optical elements.

Abstract: An insulated glazing unit has controllable radiation transmittance. Peripheries of first and second glazing panes are attached and spaced apart facing each other and then attached to a supporting structure. A conductive layer is atop the first glazing pane inner surface as a fixed position electrode. A dielectric is atop the conductive layer. A coiled spiral roll, variable position electrode is between the first and second glazing panes, a width of its outer edge attached to the dielectric. A first electrical lead is connected to the variable position electrode's conductive layer. A second electrical lead is connected to the conductive layer atop the first glazing pane. Applied voltage between the first and second electrical leads creates a predetermined potential difference between the electrodes, and the variable position electrode unwinds and rolls out to at least partially cover the first glazing pane, at least reducing the intensity of passing radiation.

Abstract: The display apparatus including a microelectromechanical (MEMS) shutter is disclosed. The MEMS shutter is shifted by the switching element in a horizontal direction corresponding to the light control area to turn on or turn off the light control area. A first slit transmits light generated from the light source to the MEMS shutter of a first substrate and a second slit of a second substrate corresponding to the first slit provides apertures by overlapping the first slit and the second slit. The apertures of the MEMS shutter are distributed on a two dimensional plane and form a geometrically symmetric pattern that are capable of enhancing light-use efficiency.

Abstract: The shutter device includes a base, a post, a coil, a shutter, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member. The base defines a first aperture. The post is fixedly mounted on the base. The coil is connected to the post and rotatable around the post. The shutter blade is coupled to the post and jointly rotatable with the coil. The first and second magnetic members are mounted on the base arranged on two sides of the coil. The first and second magnetic members are configured for driving the coil to rotate, thereby moving the shutter blade to selectively expose or cover the the first aperture.

Abstract: Generally speaking, the output brightness of an illuminator is varied by chopping an output light beam such that the beam is alternately interrupted and unhindered. An interrupter can be rapidly moved into and out of the transmission path of a light beam. The brightness of the light beam received at a site will be attenuated based on the amount of time per cycle the light beam remains obstructed versus unhindered.

Abstract: Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption.

Abstract: Electromechanical light modulators and backlight providing efficient, low cost and high performance displays.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a video-scope with an image sensor, a light source, a signal reading processor, a shading member, a driver, and a driving controller. The signal reading processor alternately reads odd-line image-pixel signals and even-line image-pixel signals over one-frame reading interval, when forming a still image on the basis of one frame worth of image-pixel signals generated by a one-time exposure. The shading member blocks the illuminating light. The driver selectively arranges the shading member at a non-shading position that enable the illuminating light to pass and at a shading position that blocks the light. The driving controller controls the driver by a sequence of pulse signals so as to position the shading member at the shading position for a shading-interval in the one-frame reading interval, and so as to position the shading member at the non-shading position for a remaining reading-interval.

Abstract: This magnetic voice-coil shutter drive actuation system for an optical shutter having an aperture with at least one shutter blade includes an actuator operating to open/close the shutter blade when moved in opposing directions, and a moveable element that operates said actuator and can be a moveable voice coil or a moveable permanent magnet. The voice coil is activatable to generate an electromagnetic flux in opposing polar orientations to react against the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet. The moveable element can be located in a position peripheral of the aperture and not surrounding the aperture, or in a position peripheral of the aperture and surrounding the aperture. The magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic flux produced by the voice coil define magnetic axes that are parallel to each other and to a central axis for the aperture.

Abstract: An exemplary shutter device includes a base having an aperture defined therein, a shaft mounted on the base, a magnetic element, a shutter blade, a first wire coil and a second wire coil. The magnetic element is connected to the shaft and rotatable around the shaft. The shutter blade is coupled to the shaft and jointly rotatable with the magnetic element. The first wire coil and the second wire coil are mounted on the base arranged on two sides of the magnetic element. The first and second wire coils are configured for driving the magnetic element to rotate, thereby moving the shutter blade to selectively expose the aperture or cover the aperture.

Abstract: Provided is an optical shuttering device and a method of manufacturing the same. Device includes a roll-up blade that stays in a rolled-up state while no driving voltage is applied thereto and flattens to shutter a light-transmitting region when a predetermined driving voltage is applied to the roll-up blade. The roll-up blade may be provided as a single roll-up blade or as a plurality of roll-up blades such that the roll-up blade(s) shutters a a portion or the entirety of the light-transmitting region. The roll-up blade may be formed as a thin layer made of a single opaque, conductive material. As a single-layered structure, the roll-up blade may spontaneously roll up due to a stress gradient that is made in a thickness direction of the roll-up blade, and as a multi-layered structure, the roll-up blade may spontaneously roll up due to differences in mean stress of the multi layers.

Abstract: A capacitive MEMS device is formed having a material between electrodes that traps and retains charges. The material can be realized in several configurations. It can be a multilayer dielectric stack with regions of different band gap energies or band energy levels. The dielectric materials can be trappy itself, i.e. when defects or trap sites are pre-fabricated in the material. Another configuration involves a thin layer of a conductive material with the energy level in the forbidden gap of the dielectric layer. The device may be programmed (i.e. offset and threshold voltages pre-set) by a method making advantageous use of charge storage in the material, wherein the interferometric modulator is pre-charged in such a way that the hysteresis curve shifts, and the actuation voltage threshold of the modulator is significantly lowered. During programming phase, charge transfer between the electrodes and the materials can be performed by applying voltage to the electrodes (i.e.

Abstract: An exemplary mechanical shutter includes a barrel, a first blade, a second blade, a third blade, a magnet, and a magnetic field generator. The barrel defines a through hole and an aperture in the hole. The first blade is arranged in the hole and mounted on the barrel. The second blade is slidably mounted on the first blade. The third blade is slidably mounted on the second blade. The magnet is attached to the third blade. The magnetic field generator is mounted on the fixture and spatially corresponding to the magnet. The magnetic field generator applies a magnetic field to the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic field generator cooperatively move the blade group between an extended position and an retracted position.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade closing and opening the opening; a driving lever holding a movable iron piece, swingably supported, and driving the blade; a self-holding solenoid being able to adsorb the movable iron piece in a non-energized state, and an adsorptive force in an energized state being smaller than an adsorptive force in the non-energized state; and a biasing member biasing the driving lever to move away from the self-holding solenoid. The driving lever includes an engagement portion engaging the movable iron piece and made of a non-magnetic material.

Abstract: Display devices incorporating light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. According to some aspects of the invention, a control matrix for controlling light modulators of a display includes a light absorbing layer that includes a material having a substantially light absorbing property.

Abstract: The instant invention senses shutter blade position indirectly by sensing the position of rotor(s) driving the shutter blade in an electromagnetically driven actuator system. It generally comprehends systems where a plurality of rotors each drive respective blades of a shutter such that the position of each of the rotors is indicative of the position of their respective shutter blades, and combines such systems with non-optical sensors responsive to the rotors which signal the position of the shutter blades based on the position of the rotors. The non-optical sensors used are preferably responsive to the magnetic fields produced by the rotors, and can be advantageously positioned adjacent stator poles associated with the rotors, which stator poles are associated with the open or closed positions of the shutter blades. The sensors are preferably Hall Effect (Hall IC) sensors producing voltages proportionate to and greatest when the pole of a magnet is proximate the Hall Effect sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and to a manufacturing method thereof. A display device using a MEMS includes a first substrate comprising a first index of refraction; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a reflective layer formed on the first substrate and having a first aperture; a transparent layer covering the first aperture and comprising a second refractive index; and a shutter arranged on the second substrate, wherein a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index is equal to or less than 0.1.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: A display device is provided including a first substrate a second substrate facing the first substrate. The device also includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The device further includes a color conversion member disposed between one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the MEMS element. A light source is provided to emit light toward the first substrate, wherein the color conversion member absorbs the light from the light source, and represents at least one color by the energy according to the absorbed light.

Abstract: An electromechanical dynamic force profile articulating mechanism for recovering or emulating true parallel plate capacitor actuation behaviors from deformable membranes used in MEMS systems. The curved deformation of flexible membranes causes their MEMS behavior to deviate from known interactions between rigid plates that maintain geometric parallelism during ponderomotive actuation.

Abstract: A light-amount adjusting apparatus includes a plurality of light-amount adjusting blades that causes a size of a light-passing aperture to change by rotation thereof. Each of the light-amount adjusting blades includes a base portion on which a rotation center portion and a driven portion are formed, and a blade portion that overlaps another light-amount adjusting blade in a light-passing direction so as to form the light-passing aperture. A thickness of the blade portion is thinner than that of the base portion. When the plurality of light-amount adjusting blades is rotated to set the light-passing aperture to be smaller than a full-opened aperture, a thickness of a portion that overlaps an adjacent stop blade is thinner than that of a portion that does not overlap the adjacent stop blade in each of the light-amount adjusting blades. The blades have high dimension accuracy, and deterioration of the optical performance of the apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An aperture control device includes: an aperture first driving member that controls an aperture of a diaphragm through which light flux passes; an aperture second driving member that drives the aperture first driving member; a motor that drives the aperture second driving member; a detection device that detects start of movement of the aperture first driving member caused by the aperture second driving member driven by the motor; and a motor control device that controls an aperture value of the diaphragm by controlling a rotational amount of the motor after the detection device detects the start of movement of the aperture first driving member.

Abstract: A lens device includes a base, a lens unit, a dividing plate, a cover plate, a shutter unit, and an actuator unit. The base has a front section with a front surface, a rear section with a rear surface, a lens hole, and a mounting space. The lens unit is disposed in the lens hole, and includes a lens. The dividing plate is mounted on the front section and has a first light hole. The cover plate is mounted on the front section and has a second light hole. The dividing plate and the cover plate define a working space therebetween. The shutter unit includes a first shutter piece pivotally disposed in the working space. The actuator unit is mounted in the mounting space, and includes a rotation portion, and an operating portion formed on the rotation portion and extending into the working space.

Abstract: A micro-shutter includes a reflective layer, a shutter, and a first actuator. The reflective layer includes a plurality of first openings transmitting a portion of external light, and reflecting the remaining portion of the external light. The shutter includes a plurality of second openings corresponding to the first openings to transmit the portion of the external light. The first actuator is provided at one side of the shutter and includes at least three electrodes. The first actuator adjusts an overlap area between the first openings and the second openings according to a level of a voltage applied to the actuator electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for an optical component that masks non-active portions of a display and provides an electrical path for one or more display circuits. In one embodiment an optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements on the substrate, each optical element having an optical characteristic which changes in response to a voltage applied to the optical element, and a light-absorbing, electrically-conductive optical mask disposed on the substrate and offset from the plurality of optical elements, the optical mask electrically coupled to one or more of the optical elements to provide electrical paths for applying voltages to the optical elements. In another embodiment, a method of providing an electrical signal to optical elements of a display comprises electrically coupling an electrically-conductive light-absorbing mask to one or more optical elements, and applying a voltage to the mask to activate the one or more optical elements.

Abstract: A light controlling apparatus includes a substrate in which an optical aperture is formed, a first light controlling means and a second light controlling means, each having an optical aperture regulating portion, and a drive source which operates the first light controlling means and the second light controlling means. The first light controlling means and the second light controlling means move mutually to a first stationary position retracted from a position of the optical aperture and a second stationary position which overlaps with the position of the optical aperture. A rotating shaft member is formed integrally with the first light controlling means. A coupling portion is formed on at least one of the first light controlling means and the second light controlling means, and the first light controlling means is rotated by rotating the rotating shaft member by the drive source, and the second light controlling means is also rotated in conjunction by the coupling portion.

Abstract: A display device using a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) element includes; a display panel including the MEMS element having at least three states, the at least three states including an on state, a half-on state, and an off state and a backlight unit which provides light to the display panel.

Abstract: A projector includes a projecting module for projecting a projecting image on a screen panel, an image sensor for capturing an image of an object which is located outside of the projecting module and faces toward the lens module, a light director, and a controlling unit. The projecting module has a lens module and a light source for emitting light transmitting through the lens module. The light director is movable between a first position where the light director is located outside of a light path associated with the lens module, and a second position where the light director is configured for directing light of the object through the lens module to be incident on the image sensor. The controlling unit controls the light director to move between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A shuttering and sealing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an aperture through which light may pass to an optical sensor, a seal surrounding the aperture, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the shutter does not cover the aperture and a closed position in which the shutter covers the aperture and the seal seals the shutter around the aperture.

Abstract: A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a display device including a first substrate having a pixel unit array thereon. A second substrate is disposed above the first substrate. A plurality of micro-electro-mechanical system shutters is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and corresponds to each pixel unit of the pixel unit array. An organic light-emitting device is disposed between the second substrate and the plurality of micro-electro-mechanical system shutters to serve as a light source of the display device. A system for displaying images including a display device with an electrophoretic display layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light source module for a scanning projection apparatus is provided. The light source module includes a plurality of point light sources and at least one light blocking unit. Each point light source is capable of providing a color light beam. The color light beams are combined into a combined light beam and the colors of the color light beams are different. The at least one light blocking unit is capable of being inserted into a transmission path of at least one of the color light beams at a fixed frequency to block a portion of the color light beam.

Abstract: There are provided a light screening apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof. The light screening apparatus includes a substrate, a transparent electrode, a plurality of roll-up actuators and a plurality of light screening patterns. The substrate includes a light-transmitting region and the transparent electrode is formed on one surface of the substrate. Each roll-up actuator, which has opaque characteristics, is fixed on the circumference portion of the light-transmitting region and includes a fixing end and a moving part which extends from the fixing end. Gaps are formed between adjacent roll-up actuators, and the light screening patterns are formed on the substrate at locations corresponding to the gaps. The light-screening patterns prevent light incident through the gaps from being transmitted to the light-transmitting region.

Abstract: A shutter device with a multi-stage diaphragm includes a base, a shutter unit pivoted on the base, a driving unit, and an actuator unit. The base includes a first optical opening defining an optical axle passing through the first optical opening. The shutter unit is adjusted to cover the first optical opening. The driving unit includes a main axle perpendicular to the optical axle and installed on the base, and a driving bar moving along the main axle and linking to the shutter unit. The actuator unit includes a coil board installed on one of the base and the driving bar, and an actuator magnet installed on the other of the base and the driving bar corresponding to the coil board. The coil board receives signals to change the relative position between the coil with pattern and the actuator magnet, whereby the actuator unit drives the shutter unit in multi-stages.

Abstract: A light adjusting device includes a base plate having an aperture; at least one light adjusting member configured to adjust the amount of light passing through the aperture; and at least one electromagnetic driving source configured to rotate the light adjusting member. The light adjusting member is provided with a rotating shaft member having magnetism. The light passing through the aperture is adjusted by rotating the rotating shaft member by using the electromagnetic driving source. The electromagnetic driving source includes a yoke and a winding coil wound on the yoke. The electromagnetic driving source is disposed on the base plate such that both front end sections of the yoke face toward the rotating shaft member in an area near and including a constraining point.

Abstract: A shutter includes micro-optics having first and second concentrator arrays. A transducer laterally displaces one of the first and second concentrator arrays between transmissive and shuttered modes. In the transmissive mode, the arrays of concentrators are optically aligned to permit electromagnetic energy passing through the first array of concentrators to pass through the second array of concentrators. In the shuttered mode, the electromagnetic radiation is blocked from passing through the second array of concentrators. The concentrators may be compound parabolic concentrators, or lenslets positioned on opposing plates with pinholes printed therethrough. The shutter may increase f-number of radiation passing therethrough, and may be used in a limited f-cone radiation source with shuttering abilities, for example reducing f-cone of radiation output from the radiation source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shutter pixel, a shutter structure including the shutter pixel, and an exposure apparatus including the shutter structure. The shutter pixel may include a lower substrate, an electrode disposed on the lower substrate, a spacer disposed on the edge of the electrode, a first mirror disposed on the spacer to be separated from the electrode and including a hole, an upper substrate disposed on the lower substrate to face the lower substrate, and a second mirror disposed at the upper substrate and overlapping the hole. Accordingly, a relatively simple structure may be provided.

Abstract: A display array which can reduce the row connections between the display and the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements and a plurality of voltage dividers coupled to the array and configured to provide row output voltages to drive the array, wherein each row is connected to at least two inputs joined by a voltage divider.

Abstract: A display device includes a substrate, a pixel electrode formed on the substrate and allowing light to be transmitted therethrough, a micro-shutter electrode formed on the pixel electrode to be opened and closed, and a reflection preventing layer formed on an upper surface of the micro-shutter electrode. Because the reflection preventing layer is formed on the upper surface of the micro-shutter electrode to prevent light incident thereon from being reflected to be leaked out, the black color does not dim the display, thereby increasing the contrast ratio (CR), and sharpness is not degraded when displaying colors.

Abstract: A microshutter array has a frame having a light transmissive portion. Linear microshutter elements extend across the light transmissive portion and in parallel to each other. Each microshutter element has a flat blade extended in a length direction and first and second torsion arms extending outwards from each side of the blade in the length direction, the blade extending across the light transmissive portion. A control circuit provides a separately-controlled and independent voltage that is applied to each of the linear microshutter elements. A controller sets the respective voltages applied to each of the linear microshutter elements.

Abstract: Generally speaking, the output brightness of an illuminator is varied by chopping an output light beam such that the beam is alternately interrupted and unhindered. An interrupter can be rapidly moved into and out of the transmission path of a light beam. The brightness of the light beam received at a site will be attenuated based on the amount of time per cycle the light beam remains obstructed versus unhindered.

Abstract: An insulated glazing unit has controllable radiation transmittance. Peripheries of first and second glazing panes are attached and spaced apart facing each other and then attached to a supporting structure. A conductive layer is atop the first glazing pane inner surface as a fixed position electrode. A dielectric is atop the conductive layer. A coiled spiral roll, variable position electrode is between the first and second glazing panes, a width of its outer edge attached to the dielectric. A first electrical lead is connected to the variable position electrode's conductive layer. A second electrical lead is connected to the conductive layer atop the first glazing pane. Applied voltage between the first and second electrical leads creates a predetermined potential difference between the electrodes, and the variable position electrode unwinds and rolls out to at least partially cover the first glazing pane, at least reducing the intensity of passing radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention operate at least two microshutter electrodes with different voltages from each other for displaying grays. Also, a data voltage is applied to the microshutter electrodes after an initialization voltage when the display device has hysteresis characteristics such that erroneous operation due to the hysteresis characteristics is eliminated. As described herein, the display device including the microshutter electrodes may display subdivided grays.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of spacers distributed within the interior of the array. The display apparatus may also include a reflective aperture layer disposed on a front facing surface of a substrate included in the display apparatus.

Abstract: A light quantity adjuster includes: a blade member forming an aperture; a stepping motor that moves the blade member to open/close the aperture; and a control section that controls driving of the stepping motor, and increases a rotational speed of the stepping motor after a resistance acting on the stepping motor changes from static friction to dynamical friction in case of closing the aperture.

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.

Abstract: A micro shutter device and a method of manufacturing the micro shutter device are provided. A transparent substrate is provided. A barrier is formed on the substrate to partition a unit pixel. A pattern layer is formed with a transparent material to have a transparent first pattern portion on the substrate in the unit pixel. A movable plate is arranged to face the pattern layer, has an opaque second pattern layer corresponding to a shape of the first pattern portion, and is configured to transmit light therethrough except the second pattern portion. An actuator is for moving the movable plate. Therefore, light leakage due to diffraction can be prevented, resulting in increasing contrast ratio and improving light efficiency.