Complementary Device Patents (Class 359/268)
  • Patent number: 11762255
    Abstract: A mask includes a substrate and an electrochromic layer that overlap each other. The electrochromic layer includes an electrochromic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyunggyu Park
  • Patent number: 11479716
    Abstract: A light-modulating material of which the light transmittance can be controlled over a wide region from visible light to infrared light by voltage application is provided. The light-modulating material comprises a graphene-like carbon material having an aspect ratio of 3 or more and 330 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rende Sun, Akira Nakasuga, Shoji Nozato, Keigo Oowashi, Hiroji Fukui, Takeharu Haino, Ryo Sekiya
  • Patent number: 11319484
    Abstract: An electrochromic element is provided including: a first substrate; a first electrode overlying the first substrate; a second substrate disposed at a distance from the first electrode; a second electrode overlying the second substrate; a first electrochemical reaction layer in contact with the first electrode; a second electrochemical reaction layer in contact with the second electrode; and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. One of the first electrochemical reaction layer and the second electrochemical reaction layer is in a reversibly oxidizable state and the other is in a reversibly reducible state, at least one of the first electrochemical reaction layer and the second electrochemical reaction layer is an electrochromic layer, and E1??0.8 V (vs. FC/FC+) and E2??0.8 V (vs. FC/FC+) are satisfied, where E1 and E2 represent oxidation-reduction potentials of the first electrochemical reaction layer and the second electrochemical reaction layer, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Takauji, Satoshi Yamamoto, Fuminari Kaneko, Kazuaki Tsuji, Naoki Ura
  • Patent number: 11086183
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dimmer and a manufacturing method thereof, a backlight unit and a display device. The dimmer includes at least one brightness adjusting unit. Each brightness adjusting unit includes a reflective layer and an electrochromic layer stacked over each other, and the electrochromic layer is configured to be reversibly switchable between a transparent state and a color rendering state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shouzheng Wu, Qing Zhang, Jun Xu, Haozhi Niu, Zhigang Ouyang, Ji Shao, Baoqing Yin, Xiaojun Wang, Dapeng Liu
  • Patent number: 10983408
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to multi-layer display devices including electrochromic material and methods of making the same. The display device may include one or more of a first layer comprising a first substrate depicting a display pattern; a second layer comprising an electrochromic polymer; a third layer comprising a solid state electrolyte; a fourth layer comprising a charge storage layer; a fifth layer comprising a second substrate, and/or other components. The one or more of the second layer, the third layer, and/or the fourth layer may be interposed between the first layer and the fifth layer. An application of a voltage between the first substrate and the second substrate may case a change in transmission and/or reflectance of light through the display device such that the display pattern on the first substrate may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Furcifer Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Yan Zhou
  • Patent number: 10937251
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electronic ticket suitable for providing entry to an event. The electronic ticket is capable of being stored, in electronic format, on a mobile user device. The electronic ticket comprises a dynamic entry code for the event such that the dynamic entry code is transitionable from an inoperable state to a functional state, whereby entry to the event is only possible when the dynamic entry code has been transitioned to the functional state. The dynamic entry code is a visual code which is non-readable by humans and is stored in a memory of the mobile user device, such that the inoperable state of the dynamic entry code prohibits the visual code from being displayed by the mobile user device and the functional state of the dynamic entry code permits the visual code to be displayed by the mobile user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Tixserve Limited
    Inventors: Kristof Aczel, Balazs Bakos, Szabolcs Fodor, Petteri Hiisila, Mervyn Graham, James Kirby, Patrick Kirby, Simon Goodale
  • Patent number: 10910594
    Abstract: The present application relates to an encapsulation film, a method for manufacturing the same, a method for manufacturing an organic electronic device using the same, and an organic electronic device comprising the same, and provides an encapsulation film which allows forming a structure capable of effectively blocking moisture or oxygen introduced into the organic electronic device from the outside, and has excellent handleability and processability, and excellent bonding property between the encapsulation layer and the panel of the organic electronic device and endurance reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Woo Lee, Hyun Jee Yoo, Hyun Suk Kim, Jung Ok Moon, Se Woo Yang
  • Patent number: 10686445
    Abstract: An electrical system comprising a circuit of reconfigurable electrical devices and a controller including a processor. The processor has a configuration examiner and a state modifier. The configuration examiner is configured to determine a configuration for the circuit of reconfigurable electrical devices based upon a connection input. The state modifier is configured to modify, based on the configuration, the circuit by changing a resistance state of the reconfigurable electrical devices. A controller for reconfigurable electrical devices and a method of controlling reconfigurable electrical devices of a circuit are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: Nokia of America Corporation, Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Evgeny Zamburg, Adriaan De Lind Van Wijngaarden, Dusan Suvakovic
  • Patent number: 10678065
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a display panel includes: a first polarization sheet, a second polarization sheet and a liquid crystal box between the first polarization sheet and the second polarization sheet. The display panel further includes: a control electrode layer and a control module; wherein the control electrode layer is provided to the liquid crystal box, the control electrode layer comprises a plurality of separated strip electrodes, a preset pitch that satisfies a requirement of grating formation is formed between adjacent strip electrodes, and transmittances of the strip electrodes are changeable under voltage. The control module is coupled to the strip electrodes and is configured to output a voltage to the strip electrodes to change the transmittances of the strip electrodes such that the control electrode layer becomes a grating or is totally transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenjun Xiao, Shijun Wang, Yu Zhao, Xingyou Luo, Xi Chen
  • Patent number: 10261381
    Abstract: Prior electrochromic devices frequently suffer from high levels of defectivity. The defects may be manifest as pin holes or spots where the electrochromic transition is impaired. This is unacceptable for many applications such as electrochromic architectural glass. Improved electrochromic devices with low defectivity can be fabricated by depositing certain layered components of the electrochromic device in a single integrated deposition system. While these layers are being deposited and/or treated on a substrate, for example a glass window, the substrate never leaves a controlled ambient environment, for example a low pressure controlled atmosphere having very low levels of particles. These layers may be deposited using physical vapor deposition. In certain embodiments, the device includes a counter electrode having an anodically coloring electrochromic material in combination with an additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Anshu A. Pradhan, Robert T. Rozbicki, Dane Gillaspie, Sridhar K. Kailasam
  • Patent number: 9766470
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional (3D) display device. The 3D display device comprises: a display panel, configured to display an image and comprising a plurality of pixels; and a 3D grating, disposed at a light-emitting side of the display panel and comprising an electrochromic layer, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a plurality of electrochromic strip bodies spaced apart from each other with an equal interval, and when a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of electrochromic strip bodies, a change between a light-shielding state and a light-transmitting state is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Xue Dong, Kaixuan Wang, Hongliang Yuan
  • Patent number: 9394457
    Abstract: A photocurable resin composition which hardly causes leakage and is easily formed into a desired shape and an image display device using this photocurable resin composition are provided. Namely, a photocurable resin composition comprises a compound (A) having a photopolymerizable functional group and an oil gelling agent (B), is provided. Also, an image display device having a laminate structure including an image display unit having an image display part, a transparent protective plate, and a resin layer existent between the image display unit and the transparent protective plate, wherein the resin layer is a cured material of the above-described photocurable resin composition, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Takeo Tomiyama, Yousuke Hoshi, Tetsuya Okazaki, Youichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9261751
    Abstract: Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically-insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically-insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Anshu A. Pradhan, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9150706
    Abstract: A photocurable resin composition which hardly causes leakage and is easily formed into a desired shape and an image display device using this photocurable resin composition are provided. Namely, a photocurable resin composition comprises a compound (A) having a photopolymerizable functional group and an oil gelling agent (B), is provided. Also, an image display device having a laminate structure including an image display unit having an image display part, a transparent protective plate, and a resin layer existent between the image display unit and the transparent protective plate, wherein the resin layer is a cured material of the above-described photocurable resin composition, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Takeo Tomiyama, Yousuke Hoshi, Tetsuya Okazaki, Youichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9030724
    Abstract: This invention discloses how electrooptic devices including electrochromic devices that can be fabricated as tags or labels; and further the materials used, device structures and how these can be processed by printing technologies and on flexible substrates. In addition, systems using displays of such devices and their integration with other components are described for forming labels and tags, etc, that may be actuated wirelessly or powered with low voltage and low capacity batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Chromera, Inc.
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Lori L. Adams, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 8964279
    Abstract: An electrode is produced on a rigid or flexible support substrate, including a grid network of very fine electrically-conductive lines with nodes and links, to produce a diffraction pattern, as much as possible in an arc shape, in the light transmitted and that results in an absence of high-level optical impacts. The grid network may in addition be produced without preferential direction with a number of three lines joining up at each node and/or with conductive sections extending in the shape of an arc or in wave form between the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Martin Melcher, Michael Labrot, Benno Dunkmann, Philippe Letocart, Bernhard Reul, Karl-Josef Ollfisch, Marc Maurer
  • Patent number: 8810888
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to electrochemical devices including an electrochemically active layer having the ability of electrochemically altering its redox state. By providing a portion of an electrode of corrosion resistant material between an electrolyte and an electrochemically active layer, undesired discoloration due to the electrochemical reaction of an electrochemical device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Acreo Swedish ICT AB
    Inventors: Peter Andersson Ersman, David Nilsson, Magnus Berggren, Per-Olof Svensson, Nathaniel D. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140226199
    Abstract: As a protective insulating layer coating the outer surface of a electrochromic device of an electrochromic mirror, a coating film of synthetic resin material is used instead of a conventional glass substrate. Further, sufficient durability is ensured against usage environment. As the synthetic resin material a solvent-soluble fluorine copolymer resin including a copolymer of a fluoroolefin monomer and an acrylate monomer is used. The resin is dissolved in a solvent to provide a coating fluid. The coating fluid is formed as the protective insulating layer covering the outer surface of the electrochromic device and the laminated end faces of the respective films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kukita
  • Patent number: 8736941
    Abstract: An electrochromic display apparatus is disclosed that includes a stacked body which includes a display electrode and an electrochromic layer that are stacked on each other; a film which includes through holes, and is disposed on one of the display electrode and the electrochromic layer of the stacked body; and an opposed substrate on which an opposed electrode that faces toward the display electrode is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Naijo, Tohru Yashiro, Shigenobu Hirano, Masahiro Yanagisawa, Masahiro Masuzawa, Akishige Murakami, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Koh Fujimura, Yoshinori Okada
  • Patent number: 8730551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Henry A. Luten, David J. Cammenga, Juan C. Lara, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Publication number: 20140126037
    Abstract: A tunable photonic crystal device comprising: alternating layers of a first material and a second material, the alternating layers comprising a responsive material, the responsive material being responsive to an external stimulus, the alternating layers having a periodic difference in refractive indices giving rise to a first reflected wavelength; wherein, in response to the external stimulus, a change in the responsive material results in a reflected wavelength of the device shifting from the first reflected wavelength to a second reflected wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: OPALUX INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andre Arsenault, Geoffrey Alan Ozin, Daniel Patrick Puzzo
  • Patent number: 8593714
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel electrochromic devices and polymer actuator materials where nanoparticles are used to make composites. In particular, the said nanoparticles are wire shaped and disc shaped. These composites allow EC devices to be made with improved performance, particularly display devices could be made that consume low power and can be manufactured at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AJJER, LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Publication number: 20130286334
    Abstract: A display device (100A) includes a first substrate (11) and second substrate (41) that are placed so as to face each other; active color filter layers (32) which are placed between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (41), which have memory properties, and which become in a colored state or an uncolored state depending on the voltage applied thereto; and a light-modulating layer (17) for controlling the intensity or degree of scattering of light incident on the active color filter layers (32) or the intensity or degree of scattering of light passing through the active color filter layers (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Satoh, Akio Miyata, Kazuhiro Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8564871
    Abstract: An electrochromic apparatus comprises a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer spaced from and disposed substantially parallel to the first electrode. An electrochromic layer is disposed between the first and second electrode layers. An electrolyte layer is disposed between the electrochromic layer and one of the electrode layers. The electrochromic layer comprises the dehydration reaction product of a hydrolyzed aromatic component. An electrochromic composition comprises an aromatic component having an aromatic core and at least two silicon-based groups pending from the aromatic core. The silicon-based groups have a silicon-bonded group selected from the group of hydrolyzable groups, hydrolyzates of hydrolyzable groups, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: David Witker, Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8559092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8552861
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications. In an embodiment of the invention, a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications is provided. The device includes a frame formed of biodegradable material such as a mixture of polylactic acid and a resin, a biodegradable battery such as a flexible biodegradable lithium ion battery, an antenna, an environmental event detector formed from biodegradable material responsive to a change in environmental conditions, and signal generating circuitry configured to be responsive to detecting an environmental event by broadcasting a signal to other sensor devices in a mesh network and also to re-broadcast signals received from other sensor devices in the mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 8526095
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device comprising: a first and a second substrates; a first and a second electrodes; and an electrochromic composition layer, wherein the device is of a passive matrix drive where the a display and an erasion are performed by an energization in reverse directions between the electrodes, the first and the second electrodes respectively comprise a plurality of electrodes, a pixel is formed where the electrodes are in a grade separated crossing, and the display is performed by voltage application processing where: (i) the first electrode is set as negative, and the second electrode is set as positive, to apply a voltage of a first potential difference, immediately followed by (ii) the first electrode being set as positive, and the second electrode being set as negative, to apply a voltage of a second potential difference equal to or more than the first potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc., Tokai University Educational System, Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimi Fukuoka, Wu Weng, Tetsuya Higuchi, Masao Suzuki, Rikuo Takano, Makoto Omodani
  • Patent number: 8493646
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Samuel Burdis
  • Patent number: 8467119
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device including: a first substrate; first electrodes parallely extending on the first substrate; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; second electrodes parallely extending in a direction orthogonal to the first electrodes on the second substrate; and an electrochromic composition layer between the substrates, wherein the device is passive-matrix driven to perform a display by energization between the electrodes, and to perform erasing of the display by energization in a reverse direction, a pixel is formed in a portion where the first electrodes sterically intersect with the second electrodes, and metal electrical wires extending over the regions between the second electrodes and the second substrate along the second electrodes, each of metal electrical wires being conductively connected to each of the second electrodes corresponding to any one of the regions, and insulated from each of the second electrodes corresponding to the other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc., Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu Weng, Toshimi Fukuoka, Tetsuya Higuchi, Masao Suzuki, Masatoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 8411348
    Abstract: An electroconductive layer (2) designed to be combined with a substrate having a glass function, said layer (2) being composed of a metal grid (9), characterized in that the metal grid (9) consists of a pure metal and in that it is coated with at least one electrochemical protection layer (10), especially a metal layer or a metal nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Emmanuel Valentin, Samuel Dubrenat, Didier Jousse, Jean-Christophe Giron, Philippe Letocart, Se-Jong Kim, Emilie Steers
  • Patent number: 8373919
    Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Forrest R. Blackburn, Robert W. Walters, Kevin W. Seybert
  • Patent number: 8373920
    Abstract: A display device includes a pair of insulating substrates facing each other, electrochromic elements, and an electrolyte layer. A plurality of electrodes constituting the electrochromic elements are disposed on an inner surface of one of the insulating substrates so as to be spaced from each other. One of the insulating substrates is formed of a flexible member whose outer surface is an input operation surface. A pair of counter electrodes of an input element are disposed between the pair of insulating substrates, the counter electrodes being spaced from the electrodes of the electrochromic elements when viewed in plan. An input operation is performed by bringing the counter electrodes close to each other or bringing the counter electrodes into contact with each other through pressing of the input operation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8368992
    Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Scott W. VanderZwaag
  • Patent number: 8329524
    Abstract: A surface emitting laser includes a lower multilayer mirror, an active layer, and an upper multilayer mirror stacked onto a substrate. A first current confinement layer having a first electrically conductive region and a first insulating region is formed above or below the active layer using a first trench structure. A second current confinement layer having a second electrically conductive region and a second insulating region is formed above or below the first current confinement layer using a second trench structure. The first and second trench structures extend from a top surface of the upper multilayer mirror towards the substrate such that the second trench structure surrounds the first trench structure. When the surface emitting laser is viewed in an in-plane direction of the substrate, a boundary between the first electrically conductive region and the first insulating region is disposed inside the second electrically conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Ikuta
  • Patent number: 8300095
    Abstract: A pixel shifting unit moves the relative position between the luminous flux entering an image pickup device and the device to a plurality of predetermined positions in a predetermined order. A control unit controls the device, and allows the image of a subject image formed by the luminous flux on the photoreception surface of the device when the relative position is in any of the plurality of predetermined positions. A combination unit combines the plurality of obtained images to generate a high-resolution image. A prediction unit predicts a shooting environment when the device hereafter shoots an image of the subject image on the basis of a change of at least two images. A setting control unit controls a setting of a shooting condition when the image of the subject image is shot on the basis of a result of the prediction of the shooting environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoharu Ogihara, Hideyuki Masuyama
  • Patent number: 8284471
    Abstract: In a touch control electrochromic device such as a resistive or capacitive touch panel, the electrochromic device combined with a resistive touch panel includes a resistive touch panel unit having a first transparent conductive substrate and a second conductive substrate; an electrochromic material, which is a pure liquid filled into the resistive touch panel unit; an insulator installed at internal peripheries of the first transparent conductive substrate and the second conductive substrate; and a controller electrically coupled to the resistive touch panel unit for turning on/off an external power source of the electrochromic material by an external touch control signal. The resistive touch panel unit directly drives the coloration/decoloration of the electrochromic material to achieve the effect of a power saving window or smart glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: J Touch Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chou Yeh, Chao-Yi Wang, Wen-Chih Lo, Tsung-Her Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120212793
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for manufacturing a display device arrangement, which includes a plurality of electrochromic pixel devices arranged in a matrix. First a plastic insulating layer is provided comprising passages for electrical conductors. Thereafter, in optional order, electrical conductors are provided in the passages, pixel layers are printed on one side of the insulating layer, and control layers are printed on the other side of the insulating layer. By this method the manufacturing of a printed electrochromic pixel device is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicants: LINTEC CORPORATION, ACREO AB
    Inventors: Peter Andersson Ersman, Kazuya Katoh, Jun Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8248681
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to polyaniline (PANI) materials capable of undergoing stable and reversible polyelectrochromic transitions between multiple oxidation states. More specifically, the embodiments described herein include novel PANI-PAAMPSA structures that are capable of undergoing stable and reversible transitions between the ES, LB and PB oxidation states. In some embodiments, the structures described are capable of undergoing stable transitions over a broad pH range. Also described herein are methods of preparing certain electrochromic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Yueh-Lin Loo, Joung Eun Yoo, Jacob Tarver
  • Patent number: 8218225
    Abstract: An electrolyte for electrochromic devices is manufactured by mixing (210) a solvent, an ionisable substance and a solvated polymer. The solvent comprises a substance having an amide group and selected from a specified group of substances. The ionisable substance comprises an anion and a cation, where the cation preferably is selected among the alkaline ions. The anion is selected from simple anions, such as hydroxide ions, halide ions or more or less complex organic anions. The polymer is solvated in the mixture of the two other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ChromoGenics AB
    Inventors: Peter Georen, Roser Marsal Berenguel
  • Patent number: 8188361
    Abstract: A photovoltaic electrochromic device includes a semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate, an electrochromic solution, and a transparent non-conductive substrate, wherein the electrochromic solution is located between the transparent non-conductive substrate and the semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate. The semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of thin-film solar cells, wherein the anodes and the cathodes of the thin-film solar cells are also used as the anodes and the cathodes of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Because a driving voltage of the electrochromic solution is low, the thickness of an intrinsic layer in each of the thin-film solar cells can be thinned, which increases the transmittance of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Besides, the current output of the photovoltaic electrochromic device can be controlled by an additional output switch layout coupled with the thin-film solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee-May Huang
  • Patent number: 8169684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, Mark R. Roth, Nigel T. Lock, Spencer D. Reese
  • Publication number: 20120044561
    Abstract: In an electrochromic module combined with organic and inorganic materials and a display device combined with the module, the display device has the electrochromic module installed on a surface of an image display module, and the electrochromic module comprises a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, and a transparent conductive element and an electrochromic layer disposed between the substrates, and the electrochromic layer is made of mixing an organic material and an inorganic material into a solvent. With the transfer of electrons between the organic and inorganic materials, the valence of ions of the materials is changed. By gaining electrons for a reduction, and losing electrons for an oxidation, a color change is achieved, and the invention has the advantages of high speed, uniformity, and a low driving voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: J TOUCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: YU-CHOU YEH, CHAO-YI WANG, WEN-CHIH LO, TSUNG-HER YEH
  • Publication number: 20120038966
    Abstract: In an electrochromic module and a display device integrated with the electrochromic module, the electrochromic module is installed on a surface of the display device and includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate. A transparent conductive element and an electrochromic layer are disposed between the two substrates, and the material of the electrochromic layer is prepared by dissolving an indicator into a solvent, and electrons are used to change the valence of ions inside the material, such that a coloration is resulted from reduction and oxidation caused by supplying and removing electrons to the ions respectively, and the electrochromic coloration rate is quicker and more uniform than present existing electrochromic materials. Unlike achromic mechanism that produces a decoloration by the oxidation and reduction of organic electrochromic materials, the electrochromic module and the display device have the advantages of a quick decoloration and a small driving voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: J TOUCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: YU-CHOU YEH, CHAO-YI WANG
  • Patent number: 8064119
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel electrochemical display element, which can realize bright white display, high-contrast black and white display, and full-color display by a simple member construction, and a method for driving the display element. The display element is characterized in that it comprises opposed electrodes, and an electrolyte, an electrochromic compound, a metal salt compound, and a white scattering material between the opposed electrodes, and multicolor display of three or more colors is carried out by black display, white display, and display of color other than black by driving the opposed electrodes by taking advantage of 1) a color change as a result of oxidation and reduction reactions of the electrochromic compound, and 2) a color change as a result of reduction precipitation and oxidation dissolution of a metallic element contained in the metal salt compound in at least one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Takeshi Hakii, Osamu Ishige
  • Publication number: 20110222138
    Abstract: This device comprises the following stack of layers: a first substrate having a glass function (V1); a first electronically conductive layer (TCC1) with an associated current feed; an electroactive system (EA); a second electronically conductive layer (TCC2) with an associated current feed; and a second substrate having a glass function (V2). Each current feed is constituted by a continuous conductive strip (1-1a; 2-2a) applied to the associated electronically conductive layer, said conductive strip being positioned over the entire perimeter or substantially over the entire perimeter of said layer (TCC1; TCC2) so as to strengthen the conductivity thereof and being connected to the electrical power supply via one of its ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Fabienne Piroux, Gilles Bokobza, Martine Giret
  • Publication number: 20110216389
    Abstract: This device comprises the following stack of layers: a substrate having a glass function (V1); a first electronically conductive layer (TCC1) with an associated current feed; a layer of electroactive varnish (VEA) based on at least one binder polymer containing the constituents of an electroactive medium that are formed by: at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being reduced and/or of accepting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being oxidized and/or of ejecting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; at least one of said electroactive organic compounds being electrochromic in order to obtain a color contrast; and ionic charges capable of allowing, under an electric current, oxidation and reduction reactions of said electroactive organic compounds, which reactions are necessary to obtain the color contrast; and a second electronically conductive layer (TCC2) with an associated current feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Fabienne Piroux, Gilles Bokobza
  • Patent number: 8014056
    Abstract: Provided is a novel electrochemical display element which performs bright white display, high contrast black/white display and full-color display with a simple member configuration. A method for driving such display element is also provided. The display element contains an electrochromic compound, which is colored or has its color disappear due to oxidation or reduction, a metallic salt compound, an electrolyte and a white scattered material, between opposing electrodes. The display element substantially performs multiple color display of three colors or more, i.e., black display, white display and colored display other than black, by driving operation of the opposing electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Kaori Ono
  • Patent number: 8004742
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic display device which can realize a reduction in color drift in storing images and has excellent memory properties. The electrochromic display device is an active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device containing opposed electrodes, at least one type of a porous layer containing titanium oxide with an electrochromic dye adsorbed thereon, and at least one type of a porous layer containing tin oxide. The active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device is characterized in that the tin oxide-containing porous layer is connected to a pixel circuit used in active matrix drive through one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7944596
    Abstract: A display medium is provided. The display medium includes a pair of electrodes disposed so as to have a gap therebetween, an electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, an electroconductive porous layer disposed at least one of the pair of electrodes at the side facing the other electrode, a first electrochromic dye held by the porous layer, a second electrochromic dye dispersed in the electrolyte and forming a color different from the color of the first electrochromic dye. Both the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye are oxidation dyes which form colors by an electrochemical oxidation reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction, or reduction dyes which form colors by an electrochemical reduction reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tatsuura, Ryojiro Akashi, Yoshinori Machida, Kiyoshi Shigehiro
  • Publication number: 20110096388
    Abstract: This invention discloses how EC devices can be fabricated as tags or labels; and further the materials used, device structures and how these can be processed by printing technologies. In addition, systems using displays of such EC devices and their integration with other components are described for forming labels and tags, etc, that may be actuated wirelessly or powered with low voltage and low capacity batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: AJJER LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Lori L. Adams, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi