Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display, as well as methods manufacturing such apparatus. The display apparatus includes dual-level shutter assemblies. Each dual-level shutter assembly includes front and rear light obstructing levels positioned adjacent to respective front and rear light blocking layers. The front and rear light blocking layers define apertures providing optical paths from a backlight to the front of the display. The dual-level shutters selectively obstruct these optical paths to generate an image.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for forming display structures having shutters that have a different height than corresponding actuators. In one aspect, a display apparatus includes an electrostatic actuator including opposing beam electrodes having primary faces normal to a substrate on which they are formed. The height of at least one of the opposing beam electrodes defines an actuator height. The apparatus also includes a shutter configured to be driven by the electrostatic actuator. The shutter includes at least one protrusion, the protrusion having a first sidewall and a second sidewall normal to a primary plane of the shutter, wherein a first sidewall height of the first sidewall is substantially different from the actuator height.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing relatively thinner and less stiff compliant beams for a shutter assembly. A protective coating is deposited and patterned over the shutter assembly before it is released from a sacrificial mold over which the shutter assembly is formed. Because some primary surfaces of the compliant beams are in contact with the sacrificial mold, these primary surfaces are not coated with the protective coating. Therefore, when the shutter assembly is finally released, the resulting compliant beams are relatively thinner and less stiff providing a reduction in an actuation voltage used to operate the shutter assembly. In some instances, the protective coating is patterned into discontinuous segments before release.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing undesired capacitance and electrostatic attraction among components of electromechanical systems (EMS) displays. An apparatus includes an array of display elements, a control matrix, and an electric insulation layer. The display elements each include a movable light blocking component coupled to a conductive beam. The control matrix includes a plurality of interconnects, including at least one switched interconnect, which passes under and is electrically isolated from at least one of the conductive beam and the movable light blocking component.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing compact shutter assemblies. Shutter assemblies can be formed in a more compact fashion, allowing for higher pixel-per-inch displays, by incorporating shutters that during actuation pass over or under portions of the actuators that control those shutters.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus incorporating display elements having light modulators that can operate in more than two states. In some implementations, the light modulator assembly includes an electrostatic actuator that includes a load electrode coupled to a shutter and a drive electrode set positioned proximate to the load electrode. The drive electrode set includes a plurality of discrete portions that are configured to drive the light modulator assembly to a plurality of different light modulator states. In some such implementations, the portions of the drive electrode set are positioned opposite to corresponding regions of the load electrode. In some implementations, the portions are arranged such that the portions are configured to electrostatically engage with adjacent regions of the load electrode.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for preventing particles from entering electromechanical systems (EMS) display devices. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a plate, a substrate supporting at least one EMS device, a seal joining the plate and the substrate to define a cavity therebetween and at least one port for receiving a fluid, and a filter disposed between the port and the EMS device. The filter includes elements formed on at least one of a surface of the substrate and a surface of the plate, defining a gap sized to allow the received fluid to pass and to inhibit non-fluidic particles carried in the fluid from the EMS device.
Abstract:
A device includes an array of devices formed on a first substrate. A second substrate is spaced away from the first substrate such that the array of devices are positioned between the first and second substrates. A plurality of spacers arc coupled to the first substrate to maintain at least a minimum gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of spacers include a first set of spacers and a second set of spacers. The spacers in the first set of spacers are shorter than the spacers in the second set of spacers. At least one spacer in the second set of spacers is positioned between at least two spacers in the first set of spacers. In some implementations, the device is a display device and the MEMS devices are modulators.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for generating images using dual-shutter shutter assemblies. Such shutter assemblies include two shutters that move over a common aperture to selectively obstruct the passage of light there through. In the closed position, portions of one of the shutters overlaps a portion of the other shutter to provide such light obstruction without the two shutters needing to come into contact.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display, as well as methods manufacturing such apparatus. The display apparatus includes shutters having asymmetric light obstructing portions extending out from opposing sides of a shutter aperture along an axis of motion of the shutter. Actuators move the shutters laterally along the axis of motion to move the shutter between fully closed, partially open, and fully open states to modulate light, thereby forming an image.