Drive method for MEMS devices

A method of controlling a display, the method comprising:

• electrically coupling the array of interferometric modulators to at least one driving circuit;
• applying a bias voltage to an array of interferometric modulators, wherein the bias voltage is greater than the midpoint of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulators and the bias voltage is below an actuation voltage of the interferometric modulators, while the array of interferometric modulators is coupled to the at least one driving circuit;
• and
• electrically isolating the array of interferometric modulators from the at least one driving circuit subsequent to applying the bias voltage for an isolation period such that the driving circuit does not provide a voltage to the array during the isolation period, the array maintaining a voltage that is within the hysteresis window during the isolation period, wherein the isolation period is based on a predetermined time constant associated with the array.

A system for controlling a display, the system comprising:

• means for electrically coupling the array of interferometric modulators to at least one driving circuit;
• means for applying a bias voltage to an array of interferometric modulators, wherein the bias voltage is greater than the midpoint of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulators and the bias voltage is below an actuation voltage of the interferometric modulators, while the array of interferometric modulators is coupled to the at least one driving circuit;
• and
• means for electrically isolating the array of interferometric modulators from the at least one driving circuit subsequent to applying the bias voltage for an isolation period such that the driving circuit does not provide a voltage to the array during the isolation period, the array maintaining a voltage that is within the hysteresis window during the isolation period, wherein the isolation period is based on a predetermined time constant associated with the array and the electrically coupling means.

A communications device, comprising:

• at least one driving circuit;
• an array comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators, each of the interferometric modulators being connected to a column electric line and a row electrical line and being configured to be driven by the driving circuit;
• and
• a plurality of circuits connected between the driving circuit and the column electrical lines and the row electrical lines, wherein the circuits are configured to first electrically couple the array to the driving circuit and while the array is electrically coupled to the driving circuit, the driving circuit provides the array with a voltage that is greater than the midpoint of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulators and that is below an actuation voltage of the interferometric modulators, and after the driving circuit provides the voltage, the circuits are configured to second electrically isolate the array from the driving circuit for an isolation period such that the driving circuit does not provide a voltage to the array during the isolation period, the array maintaining a voltage that is within the hysteresis window during the isolation period, wherein the isolation period is based on a predetermined time constant associated with the array and the plurality of circuits.

A display, comprising:

• at least one driving circuit;
• an array comprising a plurality of bi-stable elements, each of the bi-stable elements being connected to a column electric line and a row electrical line and being configured to be driven by the driving circuit;
• and
• a plurality of circuits connected between the driving circuit and each of columns of electrical lines and the row of electrical lines, wherein the circuits are configured to first electrically couple the array to the driving circuit and while the array is electrically coupled to the driving circuit, the driving circuit provides the array with a voltage that is higher than a half of an actuation voltage of the bi-stable elements and that is below the actuation voltage of the bi-stable elements, and after the driving circuit provides the voltage, the circuits are configured to second electrically isolate the array from the driving circuit for an isolation period such that the driving circuit does not provide a voltage to the array during the isolation period, the array maintaining a voltage that is within the hysteresis window during the isolation period, wherein the isolation period is based on a predetermined time constant associated with the array and the plurality of circuits.