Method and system for writing data to MEMS display elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of actuating a MEMS display element, said MEMS display element comprising a portion of an array of MEMS display elements, said method comprising:
- writing display data to said MEMS display element with a potential difference of a first polarity during a first portion of a display write process;
re-writing said display data to said MEMS display element with a potential difference having a polarity opposite said first polarity during a second portion of said display write process;
applying a first bias potential having said first polarity to said MEMS display element during a third portion of said display write process; and
applying a second bias potential having said opposite polarity to said MEMS display element during a fourth portion of said display write process,wherein a state of said MEMS display element does not change during said third and fourth portions.
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Abstract
Charge balanced display data writing methods use write and hold cycles of opposite polarity during selected frame update periods. A release cycle may be provided to reduce the chance that a given display element will become stuck in an actuated state.
285 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of actuating a MEMS display element, said MEMS display element comprising a portion of an array of MEMS display elements, said method comprising:
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writing display data to said MEMS display element with a potential difference of a first polarity during a first portion of a display write process; re-writing said display data to said MEMS display element with a potential difference having a polarity opposite said first polarity during a second portion of said display write process; applying a first bias potential having said first polarity to said MEMS display element during a third portion of said display write process; and applying a second bias potential having said opposite polarity to said MEMS display element during a fourth portion of said display write process, wherein a state of said MEMS display element does not change during said third and fourth portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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- 13. A method of maintaining a frame of display data on an array of MEMS display elements, said method comprising alternately applying approximately equal bias voltages of opposite polarities to each of said MEMS display elements for periods of time defined at least in part by the inverse of a rate at which frames of display data are received by a display system.
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16. A method of writing frames of display data to an array of MEMS display elements at a rate of one frame per defined frame update period, said method comprising:
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writing display data to said MEMS display elements, wherein said writing takes less than said frame update period; and applying a series of bias potentials of alternating polarity to said MEMS display elements for the remainder of said frame update period, wherein a state of said MEMS display elements does not change during said remainder. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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- 18. A MEMS display device configured to display images at a frame update rate, said frame update rate defining a frame update period, said display device comprising a column driver circuit configured to apply a polarity balanced sequence of bias voltages to substantially all columns of a MEMS display array for portions of at least one frame update period, wherein a state of said MEMS display array does not change during said portions, and wherein said portions are defined by a time remaining between completing a frame write process for a first frame, and beginning a frame write process for a next subsequent frame.
- 20. A method of driving a MEMS display comprising periodically releasing substantially all pixels of said display, wherein said periodic releasing occurs for each pixel at an infrequent rate such that there is no perceptible effect on visual appearance of the display to a normal observer.
Specification