System and method of sensing actuation and release voltages of an interferometric modulator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mirror system comprising:
- an interferometric modulator array of mirrors;
a timing control circuit for activating each of the mirrors;
a drive circuit configured to apply one or more test voltages or currents; and
a sensing circuit configured to sense a state of at least one of the mirrors and determine one or both of an actuation voltage and a release voltage based at least in part on the sensed state of the mirrors, wherein the sensing circuit comprises test circuitry configured to compare a sensed voltage of said at least one of the mirrors to a threshold voltage.
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Abstract
A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a varying voltage to the device and sensing its state and different voltage levels. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics.
42 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A mirror system comprising:
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an interferometric modulator array of mirrors; a timing control circuit for activating each of the mirrors; a drive circuit configured to apply one or more test voltages or currents; and a sensing circuit configured to sense a state of at least one of the mirrors and determine one or both of an actuation voltage and a release voltage based at least in part on the sensed state of the mirrors, wherein the sensing circuit comprises test circuitry configured to compare a sensed voltage of said at least one of the mirrors to a threshold voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of pixel state sensing for modifying a drive voltage of an array of mirrors and a timing control circuit for controlling each of the mirrors, the method comprising:
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applying a first test voltage or current to charge a mirror for a predetermined amount of time; sensing a first state of the mirror to determine a first actuation or release voltage; applying a second test voltage or current to charge the mirror for the predetermined amount of time; sensing a second state of the mirror to determine a second actuation or release voltage; and modifying the drive voltage based on the determined first and second actuation or release voltages to control a voltage at which the mirror is actuated or released.
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11. A system for calibrating a drive voltage for an array of mirrors and a timing control circuit for controlling each of the mirrors, the system comprising:
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means for applying a first test voltage or current to charge a mirror for a predetermined amount of time; means for sensing a first state of the mirror to determine a first actuation or release voltage; means for applying a second test voltage or current to charge the mirror for the predetermined amount of time; means for sensing a second state of the mirror to determine a second actuation or release voltage; and means for modifying the drive voltage based on the determined first and second actuation or release voltages to control a voltage at which the mirror is actuated or released.
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Specification