By Changing Physical Characteristics (e.g., Shape, Size Or Contours) Of An Optical Element Patents (Class 359/290)
  • Patent number: 10696219
    Abstract: An interior lighting system for a vehicle, including two optical modules, each optical module including a plurality of selectively activatable light sources, a primary optical element including primary members, each arranged to face one of the light sources respectively, for collecting the rays emitted by the corresponding source, the primary optical element being configured to form an elementary beam which is dependent on the rays emitted, and a secondary optical element for projecting the elementary beam into an area of the passenger compartment. According to the invention, the optical modules are configured so that the two projected elementary beams are at least partially superimposed on one another in the area of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Thierry Fleurence, Kaoutar Ez-Zouaq, Nicolas Boiroux, Nirina Rasoldier, Jingjing Xue, Arnaud Robert
  • Patent number: 10690859
    Abstract: A 3D free space mirrored optical cross connect switch has mirror arrays angled at twice the central incident angle. Path length variation and insertion loss variation are minimized between different switch ports. For each port, the incident angle may be selected to maximize the useful range of the mirror actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Sam A Marshall
  • Patent number: 10690946
    Abstract: Flexible photonic crystal structures capable of changing color in response to strain are described. Methods for forming two-dimensional and three-dimensional flexible photonic crystal structures are described. In some aspects, the flexible photonic crystal structures include an array of holes or voids formed within a flexible material. The flexible material changes dimensions of the array when the flexible photonic crystal structures is stretched, pulled, pushed or bent. In some aspects, the flexible photonic crystal structures include an array of features made of a first material, such as a first type of polymer, embedded within a matrix material made of a second material, such as a second type of polymer. The flexible photonic crystal structures can be used in the manufacture of consumer products, such as electronic products, electronic product accessories, thin films, flexible displays and wearable products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: James R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10679573
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a pixel structure, including a reflective layer, a reflective electrode, a flexible electrode and a bottom electrode sequentially disposed along a direction of incident light. An optical resonant cavity is formed between the reflective layer and the reflective electrode, the reflective layer and the flexible electrode are connected to each other; and a first voltage is loaded between the reflective electrode and the flexible electrode, and a second voltage is loaded between the flexible electrode and the bottom electrode; depending on at least one of changes of the first voltage and the second voltage, the flexible electrode deforms along the direction of incident light, and drives the reflective layer to move along the direction of incident light. The present disclosure also discloses a display substrate and a control method thereof and a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lianjie Qu, Zhidong Wang, Hebin Zhao, Yun Qiu, Weiwei Tong, Ning Jia
  • Patent number: 10672803
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a display panel, and the display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; a plurality of first gate lines and a plurality of first data lines arranged on the first substrate, a plurality of second gate lines and a plurality of second data lines arranged on the second substrate, wherein a plurality of first pixel areas are defined by the plurality of first gate lines and the plurality of first data lines, and a plurality of second pixel areas are defined by the plurality of second gate lines and the plurality of second data lines; the projections of the portion of the plurality of first pixel areas with the first thin film transistors projected on the second substrate is located between at least two adjacent second pixel areas with the second thin film transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenchao He
  • Patent number: 10661476
    Abstract: Novel methods of fabricating porous structures (e.g., nanostructures) and resulting structures are disclosed. The novel methods use precision optics to cure a slurry made from one or more powders mixed with photopolymers. Pore size control preferably is achieved by controlling the powder size and powder loading in the slurry. As the disclosed methods are based on optics to control the thickness preferably without any mechanical movements, extreme tight thickness tolerance, as well as control of the profile structure, may be achieved. The novel disclosed methods are highly-cost effective with shorter manufacturing cycle time compared to conventional methods. Moreover, a supporting substrate may not be required as the resultant structure made by the novel fabrication techniques disclosed herein has enough strength to be free-standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Cal Poly Corporation
    Inventor: Xuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10665182
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) and methods of operating the same are described. The SLM includes an array of pixels formed on a substrate, each pixel including a one or more electrostatically operable optical modulators, a receiver, a memory coupled to the receiver, and a driver including a number of drive channels coupled to the memory. Each of the drive channels is coupled to one of the pixels to drive the optical modulators in the pixel to one of a number of discrete modulation levels. The receiver receives reduced depth programming data in a predetermined sequence whereby the location of the programming data in the received data sequence implies the associated pixel address within the pixel array. The memory includes look-up-table circuitry to convert the reduced depth programming data to full depth programming data. Generally, the receiver, memory and driver are integrally formed on the same substrate with the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Payne, Gregory Myatt
  • Patent number: 10663796
    Abstract: A backlight module, a controlling method thereof, and a display device are disclosed. The backlight module includes a light guide plate and at least one digital micro-mirror device located on a side of the light guide plate away from a light exiting surface. The at least one digital micro-mirror device includes a plurality of micro-mirrors, and a reflective surface of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors faces the light guide plate. A local brightness of the backlight module is adjusted by controlling the micro-mirrors in the digital micro-mirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pengfei Cheng, Lei Chen, Xuqing Feng, Fei Gao, Xin Ma, Xuerong Wang, Lu Yu, Chuan Sun
  • Patent number: 10655840
    Abstract: A household appliance as described herein includes a front panel forming an exterior, a display window formed with a plurality of through holes having minute or fine sizes formed at the front panel, and the plurality of through holes are filled with a urethane coating liquid including an anti-foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minchel Kim, Jinseung Park
  • Patent number: 10598921
    Abstract: A mirror element, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. According to one aspect, the mirror element includes a substrate (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 211, 212, 213, 311a-311m, 411, 412, 413) and a layer stack (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 221, 222, 223, 321a-321m, 421, 422, 423) on the substrate. The layer stack has at least one reflection layer system, wherein a curvature of the mirror element is generated on the basis of a setpoint curvature for a predetermined operating temperature by a non-vanishing bending force exerted by the layer stack, wherein the generated curvature varies by no more than 10% over a temperature interval (?T) of at least 10 K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Hartmut Enkisch, Martin Hermann, Christoph Nottbohm
  • Patent number: 10597541
    Abstract: An electrophoretic particle includes a base particle (particle), a first compound, a second compound, and a third compound bonded to the base particle. The first compound is a polymer having a dispersion portion derived from a first monomer, and a bonding portion derived from a second monomer, and is connected to the base particle at the bonding portion. The second compound includes a non-polar group and a second functional group and is connected to the base particle at the second functional group. The third compound includes a charging group and a second functional group and is connected to the base particle at the second functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Inoue, Kiyoshi Nakamura, Shinobu Yokokawa, Tomoyuki Ushiyama, Masahiko Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10596604
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using two stage ultrasonic lens cleaning for water removal are disclosed. An apparatus can expel fluid from a droplet on an optical surface using an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to the optical surface and having first and second resonant frequency bands. A signal generator can generate a first signal including a first frequency to be coupled with the ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to the surface, and can generate a second signal including a second frequency to be coupled with the ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to the surface. Switching circuitry can activate the ultrasonic transducer at the first frequency to reduce the droplet from a first size to a second size, and to activate the ultrasonic transducer at the second frequency to reduce the droplet from the second size to a third size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen John Fedigan, David Patrick Magee
  • Patent number: 10591356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beam combiner for a microscope, in particular a scanning microscope, which receives at least a first illuminating light bundle and a second illuminating light bundle and combines them into a collinear output light bundle, the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle having the same illuminating light wavelength but a different polarization, in particular linear polarization. The beam combiner is embodied as an acousto-optic beam combiner and is constructed and operated in such a way that by interaction with at least one mechanical wave, both the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle are diffracted and are thereby directed into a common optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Seyfried, Vishnu Vardhan Krishnamachari
  • Patent number: 10564486
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display that achieves both reliability and a narrowed-down frame at a relatively high level. In a liquid crystal display according to an aspect of the present invention, alignment films are disposed on a surface of an array substrate and a surface of a counter substrate. The alignment films are each disposed in a display region and each have an overlap with part of the inside of a sealant. The surfaces of the substrates in the overlaps each have an uneven surface. All over an outer edge portion of the sealant, a portion is disposed in which the sealant is joined to the surfaces of the individual substrates without the alignment films interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushi Kiyota
  • Patent number: 10503040
    Abstract: A display device with high visibility or low power consumption is provided. The display device includes a pixel. The pixel includes a self-luminous display element and a reflective display element. The self-luminous display element is provided closer to the display surface than the reflective display element. The reflective display element includes a unit for adjusting the amount of light which changes its arrangement on the basis of electric power supplied from an electrode and blocks light with the unit for adjusting the amount of light to change the intensity of reflected light. Electrophoretic particles, a shutter, a film which reflects part of light, a film which reflects light, or the like can be used as the unit for adjusting the amount of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hajime Kimura
  • Patent number: 10495870
    Abstract: A display panel, a display device, and a control method therefor are disclosed. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate and a plurality of first pixels between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein, at least one of the plurality of first pixels comprises: a first insulating layer on the first substrate; a second insulating layer on the second substrate; a first colored fluid layer contacted with and having the same hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity as that of a surface of the first insulating layer; a second colored fluid layer contacted with and having the same hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity as that of a surface of the second insulating layer; and a first transparent conductive fluid disposed between the first colored fluid layer and the second colored fluid layer and having a hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity contrary to those of the first colored fluid layer and the second colored fluid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tingting Zhou, Yonglian Qi, Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10488007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlight comprising at least one light source, at least one projection optical system, and an electronic component (1) with an active optical surface on a front face, an active thermal surface, and electric contacts. A component housing (110), which is made of a housing shell (120) and a housing cover (150), a first printed circuit board (130) and at least one first spacer (160) are also contained. The component housing (110) at least partly receives the electronic component (1). The housing shell (120) comprises an assembly position for the electronic component (1) and a component opening (121) which is located in the region of the assembly position, in which the electronic component (1) is arranged, and by means of which the active optical surface of the electronic component (1) can be accessed. The electronic component (1) can be connected to the first printed circuit board (130) via the electric contacts of the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Mayer, Markus Reinprecht, Stefan Mitterlehner
  • Patent number: 10473914
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a freestanding film having at least one population of through holes cumulatively totaling at least 1% of the film area, wherein the standard deviation of hole diameters is less than 25% and a thickness less than 25 micrometers, The film provides a carrier substrate, a photo-curable material, a release agent and deposits a photo-curable material on the substrate, selectively curing the material and leaving uncured material in the pattern of holes, dissolving away the uncured material and removing the cured material from the carrier substrate. Methods and apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Eric Kreit, John David Rudolph, Kenneth A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10468598
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting display apparatus, including: a first electrode disposed on the substrate; a pixel defining layer covering an edge of the first electrode; a residual layer disposed on the pixel defining layer, the residual layer including a fluoropolymer; a first organic functional layer including a first light emitting layer, the first organic functional layer having a lower surface directly contacting a top surface of the first electrode and a side surface directly contacting the residual layer; and a second electrode disposed on the first organic functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Younggil Kwon
  • Patent number: 10468633
    Abstract: Novel microlens array architectures for enhanced light outcoupling from light emission are provided. Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) that include an outcoupling layer including these novel microlens array architectures and method for fabricating such OLEDs are provided. These devices may be used to provide OLEDs with optimized light extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: Universal Display Corporation, Kent State University
    Inventors: Yue Cui, Deng-ke Yang, Ruiqing Ma, Gregory McGraw, Julia J. Brown
  • Patent number: 10427932
    Abstract: In described examples, a hermetic package of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure includes a substrate having a surface with a MEMS structure of a first height. The substrate is hermetically sealed to a cap forming a cavity over the MEMS structure. The cap is attached to the substrate surface by a vertical stack of metal layers adhering to the substrate surface and to the cap. The stack has a continuous outline surrounding the MEMS structure while spaced from the MEMS structure by a distance. The stack has: a first bottom metal seed film adhering to the substrate and a second bottom metal seed film adhering to the first bottom metal seed film; and a first top metal seed film adhering to the cap and a second top metal seed film adhering to the first top metal seed film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John Charles Ehmke, Virgil Cotoco Ararao
  • Patent number: 10403795
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor layered structure; an upper electrode disposed on a portion of an upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure; a lower electrode disposed on a lower surface of the semiconductor layered structure in a region spaced from a region directly under the upper electrode, the lower electrode being reflective; and a protective film disposed continuously on a surface of the upper electrode and the upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure. A thickness of a first portion of the protective film, which is disposed at least in a region directly above the lower electrode, is smaller than a thickness of a second portion of the protective film, which is disposed continuously on the surface of the upper electrode and the upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure adjacent to the portion on which the upper electrode is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuya Yamakami, Daisuke Morita
  • Patent number: 10393929
    Abstract: The disclosed system may include (1) a light source, (2) a first diffractive optical element (DOE), optically coupled with the light source, that produces a first diffracted light pattern, (3) at least one additional DOE, optically coupled with the light source in series with the first DOE, that produces at least one additional diffracted light pattern, (4) an actuator that moves, in response to a first actuator control signal, the first DOE in a first plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the system, and (5) a lens, optically coupled with the first DOE and the at least one additional DOE, that projects structured light onto a local area based on the first diffracted light pattern and the at least one additional diffracted light pattern. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Manoj Bikumandla
  • Patent number: 10381265
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming first and second pattern structures on first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming a preparatory first interlayer insulating layer covering the first pattern structure on the first region, forming a preparatory second interlayer insulating layer covering the second pattern structure on the second region, the preparatory second interlayer insulating layer including a first colloid, and converting the preparatory first and second interlayer insulating layers into first and second interlayer insulating layers, respectively, by annealing the preparatory first and second interlayer insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-ki Min, Koung-min Ryu, Sung-soo Kim, Sang-koo Kang
  • Patent number: 10365471
    Abstract: A display device includes a bottom support plate and an opposing top support plate. A pixel region is positioned between the bottom support plate and the top support plate. The pixel region includes a plurality of sub-pixels. A color filter layer is positioned within the pixel region. The color filter layer includes a plurality of color filters, wherein each color filter is positioned within a respective sub-pixel. A diffusion layer is positioned on a first surface of the top support plate between the top support plate and the color filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erno Hermanus Antonius Langendijk, Tulasi Sridhar Reddy Guntaka, Kari Juhani Rinko
  • Patent number: 10338373
    Abstract: An electrowetting element comprising a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid. A first support plate comprises: a first support plate surface in contact with at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid, a substrate having a substrate surface, an electrode and a ridge. The ridge comprises a substantially parallel ridge surface substantially parallel to the substrate surface and a sloping ridge surface angled relative to the substantially parallel ridge surface. A wall is located at least partly on the substantially parallel ridge surface. The ridge is configured to reduce a flow of the first fluid along an inner surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gor Manukyan, Gerben Boon
  • Patent number: 10310354
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrofluidic support plate and a method for preparing the same, and an electrofluidic device comprising the support plate. The method comprises the following steps of: providing a substrate which has a surface provided with an electrode layer; arranging a first amorphous fluoropolymer layer on the surface of the substrate, and carrying out hydrophilic modification on a surface of the amorphous fluoropolymer layer; arranging pixel walls on the amorphous fluoropolymer layer after hydrophilic modification; arranging a second amorphous fluoropolymer layer which is a hydrophobic layer; the second amorphous fluoropolymer layer covering all surfaces of the pixel walls and a groove area encircled by the pixel walls; filling the groove area encircled by the pixel walls with a protective material; removing the second amorphous fluoropolymer layer not covered by the protective material and on a top of the pixel walls; and removing the protective material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: South China Normal University, Academy of Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics, Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guofu Zhou, Hao Wu, Fahong Li, Robert Andrew Hayes
  • Patent number: 10304912
    Abstract: A display device may include a light-emitting element and a controllable element. The light-emitting element may emit a light. The controllable element may neighbor the light-emitting element in a plan view of the display device and may include a fluid set. The fluid set may include at least one of a light-reflecting element set and a black element set. The controllable element may have a first average reflectance value in a first direction if the controllable element receives no voltage or receives a first voltage. The controllable element may have a second average reflectance value in the first direction if the controllable element receives a second voltage. The second voltage may be unequal to the first voltage. The second average reflectance value may be unequal to the first average reflectance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoungki Kim, Jongsung Bae, Hojin Yoon, Dae Woo Lee, Yun-Mo Chung
  • Patent number: 10288871
    Abstract: A display device includes a first support plate and a pixel region over the first support plate. A thin film transistor (TFT) structure is disposed over the first support plate and associated with the pixel region. The TFT structure includes a first metal layer over the first support plate. The first metal layer includes a gate. A silicon layer is disposed over the gate. A second metal layer is disposed over the silicon layer. The second metal layer includes a source and a drain covering a first portion of the silicon layer. A light-absorbing material layer is disposed over at least a second portion of the silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Toru Sakai
  • Patent number: 10281715
    Abstract: An image displacement module is adapted for an optical apparatus to switch image positions of a plurality of plane image. The image displacement module includes a carrying base and a rotating base. The carrying base is adapted to control the rotating base to vibrate back forth within an angle, such that the imaging positions of the plane image on the horizontal direction are moved by a first distance and the imaging positions of the plane image on the vertical direction are moved by a second distance at the same time. Alternatively, the carrying base is adapted to control the rotating base to rotate relative to two axes of a reference plane, such that the plane image are moved by a distance along one of a plurality of movement directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Szu Lin, Chao-Shun Chen, Chia-Chen Liao, Yu-Chen Chang, Chien-Hsing Tsai
  • Patent number: 10274720
    Abstract: A display device includes a first support plate and an opposing second support plate. A first pixel region between the first support plate and the second support plate includes a first thin film transistor (TFT) structure over the first support plate. A second pixel region between the first support plate and the second support plate and adjacent the first pixel region includes a second TFT structure over the first support plate. A first pixel wall portion is positioned over the first support plate between the first pixel region and the second pixel region such that each of the first TFT structure and the second TFT structure is positioned adjacent the first pixel wall portion. A light-blocking portion is disposed on an inner surface of the second support plate and positioned over the first TFT structure and the second TFT structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Sakai, Tulasi Sridhar Reddy Guntaka, Karel Johannes Gerhardus Hinnen
  • Patent number: 10229935
    Abstract: A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept includes: a first insulation substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the first insulation substrate; a pixel electrode coupled to the thin film transistor; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second insulation substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first subpixel electrode including a first vertical stem portion and a first horizontal stem portion that is disposed perpendicular to the first vertical stem portion at an end of the first vertical stem portion, and a second subpixel electrode including a second vertical stem portion and a second horizontal stem portion that is disposed perpendicular to the second vertical stem portion at an end of the second vertical step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: O Sung Seo, Hyun-Ho Kang, Young Goo Song, Seung Jun Yu, Ha Won Yu, Ki Kyung Youk, Sang Myoung Lee, Tae Kyung Yim
  • Patent number: 10185142
    Abstract: An electrowetting element comprising a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid. A support plate comprises a first layer comprising a migration pathway, the first layer comprising a first surface in contact with at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid. A substance is disposed within at least a portion of the migration pathway in the first layer. The substance is distinct from both the first fluid and the second fluid and is configured to reduce migration of at least a component of the first fluid or a component of the second fluid into the migration pathway in the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerben Boon, Chiara Cometti, Pavel Novoselov, Lara Tauk
  • Patent number: 10182288
    Abstract: A microphone comprises: a vibration member having a plate shape and formed so as to have elasticity and cause bending due to sound waves; a case having a depressed groove, which forms an air layer between the depressed groove and the vibration member since the vibration member is stacked on an upper part thereof, and coupled to the upper part of the depressed groove such that the vibration member is vibrated by sound waves; and a vibration detection unit provided on the vibration unit and the case and measuring the vibration of the vibration member vibrating by sound waves on the case, wherein when the vibration member vibrates, the air in the air layer flows so as to damp the vibration of the vibration member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Byungki Kim
  • Patent number: 10175470
    Abstract: The disclosed examples relate to methods and systems facilitate self-healing of regions of electrowetting devices. Electrowetting devices may be coupled to a switchable AC/DC electrical power supply that provides AC power to the electrowetting device to control electrowetting device operation and DC power to promote self-healing of the electrowetting device. A monitoring circuit outputs a signal in response to electrical power supply operating characteristic changes due to a failure of the electrowetting device's dielectric. The controller, responding to the signal, switches the power supply output from AC power to DC power to the electrowetting device. In response to the DC power, the electrowetting device responds by healing the degraded dielectric. When the failure is determined to be corrected, the power supply output is switched from DC power to AC power to the electrowetting device. The number of times self-healing is applied may be tracked for future analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Malone
  • Patent number: 10162201
    Abstract: Provided is an optical modulator in which low-voltage drive and a stable modulation characteristic are secured over a wide bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu Miyazaki, Toshio Kataoka, Youichi Hosokawa, Kei Katou
  • Patent number: 10133058
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrowetting display may include forming pixel electrodes on a support plate; depositing a first layer on the pixel electrodes; etching portions of the first layer to form pixel walls that partition pixel regions; depositing a second layer on the pixel electrodes and the pixel walls; etching portions of the second layer to form spacers on tops of the pixel walls; and depositing a hydrophobic layer to at least partially cover the pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Novoselov, Gor Manukyan, Tulasi Sridhar Reddy Guntaka
  • Patent number: 10126544
    Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged opposed to each other. The space between the first substrate and the second substrate is separated into a plurality of sub-pixel regions. Within each sub pixel region, a first electrode, a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, a hydrophobic dielectric layer and a second electrode are arranged in this order. The first fluid layer is made of hydrophilic liquid. The second fluid layer is made of ink. When no electric field is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the ink spreads over the surface of the hydrophobic dielectric layer. When an electric field is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the ink aggregates to expose the hydrophobic dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaolong He, Zhanfeng Cao, Qi Yao, Bin Zhang, Zhengliang Li, Wei Zhang, Tingting Zhou, Jincheng Gao, Jiushi Wang
  • Patent number: 10120184
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to improving luminance and reducing color shifts in electrowetting displays. The electrowetting display comprises a plurality of electrowetting elements separated by partition walls and spacers. The spacers and/or partition walls are reflective. When incident light that enters a pixel or subpixel is reflected and encounters a spacer and/or partition wall, the light is reflected such that the reflected light exits the pixel or subpixel into which the incident light entered. This improves luminance and reduces color shifts of the electrowetting display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erno Hermanus Antonius Langendijk, Christian Etienne Hendriks, Tulasi Sridhar Reddy Guntaka, Steven Ramos Carneiro, Pavel Novoselov
  • Patent number: 10094959
    Abstract: A transparent layered element includes two outer layers that each have a smooth outer main surface and are constituted of dielectric materials having substantially the same refractive index. The layered element also includes a central layer inserted between the outer layers. The central layer is formed either by one or more layers made of metallic material or made of dielectric material having a refractive index different from that of the outer layers. All of the contact surfaces between two adjacent layers of the layered element are textured and parallel to one another. A ratio of a total reflection of the layered element on a side of a first outer layer in a given wavelength range to a total reflection of the layered element on a side of a second outer layer in the given wavelength range is greater than or equal to 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michele Schiavoni, Marie-Virginie Ehrensperger
  • Patent number: 10078240
    Abstract: Discussed are a light control device, a transparent display device including the same, and a method of manufacturing the same, which lower a light transmittance in a light shield mode. The light control device may include a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a first electrode disposed on one surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, a second electrode disposed on one surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, a plurality of partition walls disposed on one surface of the first electrode facing the second substrate to maintain a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first alignment layer disposed on the one surface of the first electrode and the plurality of partition walls, and a second alignment layer disposed on one surface of the second electrode facing the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kihan Kim, JiYoung Ahn, Moonsun Lee, Jae-Hyun Kim, Sunyoung Park, Seokwon Ji
  • Patent number: 10060791
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an integrated spectral unit including a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) interferometer fabricated within a first substrate and a light redirecting structure integrated on a second substrate, where the second substrate is coupled to the first substrate. The light redirecting structure includes at least one mirror for receiving an input light beam propagating in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the first substrate and redirecting the input light beam to an in-plane direction with respect to the first substrate towards the MEMS interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Si-Ware Systems
    Inventors: Yasser M. Sabry, Diaa Abdel Maged Khalil, Mostafa Medhat, Hisham Haddara, Bassam Saadany, Khaled Hassan
  • Patent number: 10041837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation imaging sensor with at least one detection element, which is implemented on a substrate as a micromechanical resonator and which absorbs the radiation to be detected. The resonator is set into a resonant oscillation with an excitation device and a shift in the resonance frequency of the detection element under exposure to radiation is detected with a detection device. The radiation sensor is characterized by the fact that it comprises a scanning device with a single-axis or multi-axis tiltable scanning element. The facility to tilt the device means that the detection element can be used to detect radiation from different directions. The imaging sensor can be realized in a compact manner and be economically produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Hofmann, Manfred Weiss, Joachim Janes, Frank Senger
  • Patent number: 10006625
    Abstract: A household appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a front panel forming an exterior, a display window formed with a plurality of through holes having minute or fine sizes formed at the front panel, and the plurality of through holes are filled with a coating liquid including an anti-foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minchel Kim, Jinseung Park
  • Patent number: 9971144
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device comprises a first fluid, an array of electrowetting elements, each respectively comprising a portion of the first fluid, and a first support plate. The first support plate comprises a first region extending along a first edge of the first support plate and a second region extending along a second edge of the first support plate. The first and second regions are located outside the array of electrowetting elements, and the first region is non-overlapping the second region. A first electrode is located in the first region and an electrical component is located in the second region. A second support plate of the electrowetting display device includes a second electrode in electrical contact with a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid. An electrical connector connects the first electrode to the second electrode and a conductor connects the first electrode to the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toru Sakai, Abhishek Kumar
  • Patent number: 9958686
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an illumination module, a first structured light generation module, a second structured light generation module and a beam splitting unit. The beam splitting unit is arranged between the illumination module, the first structured light generation module and the second structured light generation module. When a source beam from the illumination module is received by the beam splitting unit, the source beam is split into a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam is propagated in a direction toward the first structured light generation module. The second light beam is propagated in a direction toward the second structured light generation module. After the first light beam passes through the first structured light generation module, a first structured light is generated. After the second light beam passes through the second structured light generation module, a second structured light is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Everready Precision Ind. Corp.
    Inventors: Jyh-Long Chern, Chih-Ming Yen
  • Patent number: 9921413
    Abstract: Apparatus (systems) and methods are described for generating and displaying a virtual true 3D image viewable by a single eye of a viewer. A fixed-curve mirror is translated along an optical axis in synchrony with a temporally-modulated 2D image generator to generate a virtual image in multiple virtual image planes, enabling depth perception of the image by a single eye of the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: DEEPSEE INC.
    Inventor: Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 9921404
    Abstract: A method for fabricating electronic displays comprises placing a fluoropolymer layer on a support plate for the electronic display device and etching the fluoropolymer layer. Etching changes a surface of the fluoropolymer layer so that the fluoropolymer layer becomes less hydrophobic. Pixel walls are formed on the hydrophilic surface of the fluoropolymer layer to form an array of electrowetting display elements. The fluoropolymer layer is subsequently immersed in a vapor or a liquid that is heated to heat the surface of the fluoropolymer layer. Such immersion allows the surface of the fluoropolymer layer to reflow and to become more hydrophobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerben Boon
  • Patent number: 9910264
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for improving contact between spacers of a first substrate of an electrowetting display device and pixel walls of a second substrate of the electrowetting display device by providing an adhesive between the spacers and the pixel walls. An electrowetting display device comprises a first substrate including a plurality of pixel walls and a second substrate including a plurality of spacers. A first fluid is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate within the pixel walls. A second fluid is disposed on the first fluid, wherein the first fluid is immiscible with the second fluid. An adhesive couples the spacers to the pixel walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Cornelis van der Gaag, Maurice Hendrikus Hubertinus Thijssen, Christian Etienne Hendriks
  • Patent number: 9910198
    Abstract: An optical filter includes a first multi-layer having a width W1 and including a first optical layer and a second optical layer that are made of materials different from each other and that are alternately laminated, the first optical layer having a refractive index nH and an average layer thickness dH, and the second optical layer having a refractive index nL lower than nH and an average layer thickness dL, a second multi-layer having a width W2 and including the first and the second optical layers alternately laminated, the first and the second multi-layers are included in each of unit structures arranged being shifted from each other by a shift amount D in a lamination direction of the first and the second optical layers, and predetermined conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Ueda