SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MICROBUBBLE GENERATION IN A LIQUID-FILLED DISPLAY
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display including a fluid-filled cavity. The display can include a plurality of light modulators, and a viewable portion and a non-viewable portion. A bubble generator can be positioned within the non-viewable portion of the cavity and arranged to form a bubble within the non-viewable portion. The non-viewable portion of the display may include a region in which a bubble or bubbles are generated and allowed to move. The display may include a controller arranged to control the operation of the bubble generator. The display also may include a temperature sensor or pressure sensor arranged to measure the temperature or pressure of the display apparatus. The controller may control the operation of the bubble generator in response to a signal from either the temperature sensor, pressure sensor, or both.
1 . A display apparatus comprising:
a cavity including a plurality of light modulators, the cavity being filled with a liquid, the cavity including a viewable portion and a non-viewable portion; and
a bubble generator being positioned within the non-viewable portion of the cavity and arranged to form a bubble within the non-viewable portion.
2 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller arranged to control the operation of the bubble generator.
3 . The display apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a temperature sensor arranged to measure the temperature of the display apparatus.
4 . The display apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the controller controls the operation of the bubble generator in response to a signal from the temperature sensor.
5 . The display apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor is located within the cavity.
6 . The display apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
a pressure sensor in physical communication with the cavity and electrical communication with the controller, wherein the controller controls the operation of the bubble generator in response to a signal from the pressure sensor.
7 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bubble generator includes a heat source.
8 . The display apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the heat source includes a resistor arranged to generate heat in response to a signal from the controller.
9 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-viewable portion includes a region in which a bubble is allowed to form or move.
10 . The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is arranged to communicate with a processor, the processor being configured to process image data and communicate with a memory device and receive input data from an input device.
11 . The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the display apparatus receives at least one signal from a driver circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the image data from a controller.
12 . The display apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the image data from an image source module, the image source module including at least one of a receiver, transceiver, and transmitter.
13 . A method for controlling bubble formation within a display, comprising:
providing a cavity including a plurality of light modulators, the cavity including a viewable portion and a non-viewable portion;
filling the cavity with a liquid; and
generating a bubble using a bubble generator positioned within the non-viewable portion of the cavity.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising measuring a temperature of the display.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising controlling the operation of the bubble generator in response to measuring the temperature of the display.
16 . A system for controlling bubble formation within a display comprising:
a cavity including a plurality of light modulators, the cavity being filled with a liquid, the cavity including a viewable portion and a non-viewable portion; and
a means for generating a bubble within the non-viewable portion of the cavity.
17 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a means to control the operation of the bubble generator.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a means to measure the temperature of the display, wherein the means to control the operation of the bubble generator receives a signal from the means to measure the temperature.
19 . A method of manufacturing a display assembly, comprising:
providing first and second substrates;
providing a bubble generator on at least one of the first and second substrates;
joining the first and second substrates via a sealing material arranged partially around the periphery of the first and second substrates to form a cavity such that the bubble generator is located within a non-viewable portion of the cavity;
substantially filling the cavity with a fluid; and
sealing the cavity.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising forming at least one bubble trapping region on a surface of at least one of the first and second substrates.