Particular Counter Electrode Patents (Class 359/269)
  • Patent number: 11947232
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Karthik Kailasam, Robin Friedman, Anshu A. Pradhan, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 11886054
    Abstract: A light transmissive element includes a light transmissive area. The element includes transparent substrates including respective transparent conductive films on respective surfaces thereof. The element has a structure in which the transparent substrates are disposed so as to face each other across a gap with the transparent conductive films facing each other and the gap is filled with an electrolyte. The electrolyte contains a metal ion and is prepared so as to allow the metal ion to be reversibly deposited on a surface of a transparent conductive film via electrodeposition according to a state of applied voltage between the transparent conductive film and the transparent conductive film. In the light transmissive area, a dividing line is formed in the transparent conductive film. The transparent conductive film includes divisional areas in the light transmissive area, the divisional areas being electrically insulated from each other by the dividing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuo Mochizuka
  • Patent number: 11703737
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various processes of forming an electrochromic stack using at most one metallic lithium deposition station. In some aspects, a process may include depositing metallic lithium only within an electrochromic counter-electrode of an electrochromic stack. In some aspects, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic counter-electrode target to form an electrochromic counter-electrode and depositing metallic lithium only within or above an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic electrode target, and optionally additionally depositing metallic lithium to add mobile lithium to the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a single metallic lithium deposition station to deposit metallic lithium between an ion-conducting layer and an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mogensen, Wen Li, Jean-Christophe Giron, Nicolas Antoine Mercadier
  • Patent number: 11630364
    Abstract: An EC element whose coloring unevenness due to concentration unevenness is reduced by bringing the ratio of red and green wavelength ranges of a colored form of an anodic EC compound close to the ratio of red and green wavelength ranges of a colored form of a cathodic EC compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Kubo
  • Patent number: 11372304
    Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided that includes a first substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first electrode provided at the inner surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the second substrate faces the inner surface of the first substrate; a second electrode provided at the inner surface of the second substrate; and an electro-optic medium provided between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates. The first electrode includes a metal mesh formed from metal tracings and having open areas between the metal tracings; and a first transparent conductive coating electrically coupled to the metal mesh and extending at least between the metal tracings so as to extend across the open areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Gao, George A. Neuman, Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 11307475
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to electrochromic windows that are bird friendly, as well as methods and apparatus for forming such windows. Bird friendly windows include one or more elements that make the window visible to birds so that the birds recognize that they cannot fly through the window. An electrochromic window includes one or more transparent substrates, wherein at least one of the substrates is an electrochromic (EC) lite including an electrochromic device and a pattern formed on at least one of the substrates by a laser, the pattern including a first feature configured to provide a set of optical properties different than optical properties of the transparent substrate. The set of optical properties includes one or more characteristics of refractivity, reflectivity and diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gordon Halbert Mathew, Robert T. Rozbicki, Luis Vidal Ponce Cabrera, Anshu A. Pradhan, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Eithan Ritz
  • Patent number: 11142682
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to solution processed low temperature metal oxide, metal bronze or polyoxometalate materials as charge storage material used in electrochromic devices, charge storage material and electrochromic devices comprising the materials and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: FURCIFER INC.
    Inventor: Yan Zhou
  • Patent number: 10854915
    Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium fluoride based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium fluoride based composites are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Chen Ling, Ying Zhang, Yifei Mo, Qiang Bai
  • Patent number: 10739662
    Abstract: The present application relates to an electrochromic device. In one aspect, the electrochromic device includes an electrochromic element including a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer, an ion storage layer and the second electrode. The electrochromic device also includes controller configured to change a state of the electrochromic element to change to at least one of a first state having a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, a third state having a third transmittance, or a fourth state having a fourth transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic element. When a first voltage is applied to the electrochromic element in a first state, the electrochromic element becomes the second state, and when the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic element in a fourth state, the electrochromic element becomes the third state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: LeapHigh Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Park, Byoung Dong Kim, Yun Chul Choi, Sang Woo Yoo, Cheol Hwan Kim, Jin Ah Sohn
  • Patent number: 10539851
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a method of changing an optical state of an electrochromic film. The electrochromic film may have a plurality of optical states. The method may include selecting a desired state of the plurality of optical states; injecting electric charges into the electrochromic film; monitoring an amount of the electric charges injected into the electrochromic film; and stopping injecting the electric charges when the electric charges reaches a pre-set amount corresponding to the desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Furcifer Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Yan Zhou
  • Patent number: 10495938
    Abstract: The present application relates to an electrochromic element and a method for manufacturing the same. A method for manufacturing an electrochromic element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application comprises: forming a first electrode on a first substrate, and then forming a first electrochromic unit on the first electrode; forming a second electrode on a second substrate, and then forming a second electrochromic unit on the second electrode; and forming an electrolyte layer between the first electrochromic unit and the second electrochromic unit, in which the forming of the first electrochromic unit is carried out by an E-beam deposition method (E-beam evaporation) using a carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Soohee Kang, Chung Wan Kim, Song Ho Jang, Jae Hoon Lee, Kyoung Jin Kim, Jin Woo Park, Geunsik Jo
  • Patent number: 10473997
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is provided. The device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The device includes electrochromic material, with the first substrate, the electrochromic material and the second substrate forming a laminate, the first substrate offset in a lateral direction from the second substrate along at least a portion of an edge of the electrochromic device. The device includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the electrochromic material, with at least two of the plurality of terminals exposed on the first substrate by the first substrate being offset in the lateral direction from the second substrate. A method of manufacturing an electrochromic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Higashihara, John Gallipeo
  • Patent number: 10429711
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided that includes an imager, an optical lens stack, and an electro-optic element positioned between the imager and the lens stack. The electro-optic element includes a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface has a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the cavity. The electro-optic medium is operable between substantially clear and substantially opaque states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry A. Luten, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Michael T. Stephenson, Punam Giri
  • Patent number: 10353263
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic element, including: a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode being transparent; a third electrode; and an electrolyte, an anodic organic electrochromic material, and a cathodic organic electrochromic material that are arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the third electrode is electrically connectable to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode via the electrolyte, and in which the third electrode has an effective area that is larger than an effective area of the first electrode and an effective area of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Kubo, Kazuya Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10325968
    Abstract: A reflective display device is disclosed, which includes first and second substrates facing each other, each of which includes a display area and a reflective area; a display element provided in the display area; and a reflective control element provided in the reflective area, controlling reflectance of externally incident light. The reflective display device may improve a contrast ratio by controlling reflectance of a reflective area when an image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Jin An, Jong Moo Kim, Jin Hyun Jung
  • Patent number: 10162241
    Abstract: An electrochromic display devices to display a desired image is taught. The display includes a transparent substrate, deposited with a first electrically conducting layer. At least one electrochromic layer is provided on the first electrically conducting layer. An ionically conducting layer is provided on the electrochromic layer and a piezoresistive layer is provided on the second electrically conducting layer. A third electrically conducting layer is provided on the piezoresistive layer. The electrochromic display device displays image in two different modes. In the first mode, an electrical potential is applied across the first and second electrically conducting layer. In the second mode, an electrical potential is applied across the first and the third electrically conducting layer and simultaneously a pressure is applied on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Saralon GmbH
    Inventor: Moazzam Ali
  • Patent number: 9864249
    Abstract: The invention disclose an electrochomism display device and a method of fabricating the same, relates to the field of display technology, and the electrochomism display device may effectively suppress the light-leakage phenomenon in the opening region between adjacent electrochomism pixels, thus the display effect of the electrochomism display device is improved. The electrochomism display device comprises a plurality of eletrochromism pixels, each of the eletrochromism pixels comprises a first conductive layer, an eletrochromism layer, and a second conductive layer sequentially formed on a transparent substrate, an opening region is provided between every two adjacent eletrochromism pixels, wherein a thin film transistor is provided in the opening region, and a gate, a source and a drain of the thin film transistor are made of opaque material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shaoying Xu, Xuecheng Hou
  • Patent number: 9791760
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant. The electrochromic device also includes nanoparticles containing one or more transparent conducting oxide (TCO), a solid state electrolyte, a counter electrode, and at least one protective layer to prevent degradation of the one or more nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HELIOTROPE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Guillermo Garcia, Bonil Koo, Ivano Gregoratto, Sourav Basu, Evelyn Rosen, Jason Holt, Scott Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9632384
    Abstract: A mobile device lens assembly having an electrically activated lens component with an electro-optic portion is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the mobile device lens assembly include the electro-optic portion and an interlock feature to engage a second lens element. The second lens element may have an interlock surface, which when engaged or mated with the interlock feature of the electrically activated lens component, may maintain alignment of the lens components along an optical axis. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Yoshikazu Shinohara, Iain Alexander McAllister, Jun Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9563096
    Abstract: A 3D display apparatus is provided, which comprises: a display, a camera configured to track human-eye position information of human eyes, and a processor electrically connected with the camera and configured to generate a control signal according to the human-eye position information. Preferably, the display comprises a dynamic grating, which is electrically connected with the processor and configured to, according to the control signal, control bright and dark stripes of the dynamic grating to change in position adaptively according to positions of human eyes. Thereby, the 3D display apparatus of the present disclosure utilizes the camera to track human-eye position information and then utilizes the control unit to change positions of bright and dark stripes of the grating according to the human-eye position information so as to adapt to different observing positions of the user's two eyes, thus achieving a 3D image effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MAGIC EYE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Meihong Liu
  • Patent number: 9345074
    Abstract: In an organic EL display apparatus, a chromaticity change of image display due to deterioration in an OLED is corrected. The organic EL display apparatus includes an EC element layer formed of one kind or a plurality of kinds of electrochromic elements which are disposed on an OLED portion and develop colors. Each of the electrochromic elements has a peak in a transmission spectrum during development of a color in any one of the emission wavelength bands of the pixels corresponding to the plurality of colors. The electrochromic element receives a DC voltage from a driver so as to be driven. Chromaticity of image display is adjusted by controlling a color development intensity of the electrochromic element by using the DC voltage which is applied by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sato, Hironori Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9230869
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus, the method including removing a bubble by irradiating a laser in a cross direction to the bubble that occurs in a thin-film transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9164346
    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, which are in direct contact with one another. 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. In addition to the improved electrochromic devices and methods for fabrication, integrated deposition systems for forming such improved devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Anshu Pradhan, Robert Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9110346
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes: a substrate having an inner surface; at least one first electrode layer formed on the inner surface; at least one second electrode layer formed on the inner surface and spaced apart from the first electrode layer; and an electrochromic unit formed on the first and second electrode layers and including an electrochromic layer and an electrolyte layer that is in contact with the electrochromic layer. When a potential is applied between the first and second electrode layers, the electrochromic layer can undergo chemical reduction or oxidation reactions and change color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Leader Optronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Tsai, Shyh-Haur Su
  • Patent number: 9007674
    Abstract: Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 108 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar K. Kailasam, Robin Friedman, Dane Gillaspie, Anshu A. Pradhan, Robert Rozbicki, Disha Mehtani
  • Patent number: 8928965
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an electrochemical processor, which comprises two electrodes of different electrochemical potential, which are bridged via an electrolyte. Upon, completion of the electric circuit between the two electrodes, the second electrode is oxidized and therefore changed in at least one physical parameter, e.g. the second electrode becomes transparent. The electrochemical processor is characterized in that the surface of the second electrode, which is in contact with the electrolyte, is partially covered with an electrically insulating material, wherein this material is adjacent to the electrolyte. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of this electrochemical processor and a method of composing such electrochemical processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster
    Inventor: Meinhard Knoll
  • Publication number: 20140268283
    Abstract: Variable-emittance, electrochromic devices utilizing IR-active conducting polymers and methods of preparing the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ASHWIN-USHAS CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Prasanna Chandrasekhar
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8786932
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a display device and a method to manufacture the display device. The display device includes: a transparent layer; a coloring electrode; a separator; a second electrode; an electrolyte permeating throughout the display device; and a back layer positioned on the back side of the display. The transparent layer, which has a top surface and a bottom surface, is positioned at the viewer side of the display. The coloring electrode is positioned on the transparent layer bottom surface and includes: a connected conductor system formed from one or more heterogeneous conductive layers and a coloring layer, with the proviso that the heterogeneous conductive layers are not positioned between the transparent layer bottom surface and the coloring layer. The conductor heterogeneity includes variations in one or more of: conductor material composition; conductor layer dimension; conductor layer pattern; conductor layer grid design, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Ntera, Inc., Ntera Limited
    Inventors: Gavin Copeland, Alain Briancon, Martin Moeller, Nigel Leyland, Chris Giacoponello, Micheal Cassidy, Christian Grave, David Corr, David Bevk, Michael Ryan
  • Patent number: 8773747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic devices and methods for functionalizing cellulose-based materials, in production and post-production stages, in order to obtain solid-state electrochromic devices. The invention is in the field of electrochemistry. These functionalized cellulose-based materials have typical electrochromic characteristics, specifically the capacity to change the oxidation state, leading to a modification of the physical properties, shown by a color change when exposed to an electric potential difference, being this color change reversible. The color remains in the absence of any electric stimulus, demonstrating a memory effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: YD Ynvisible, S.A.
    Inventors: Isabel Maria Mercês Ferreira, Cláudia Brito Da Costa, Elvira Maria Correla Fortunato, Rodrígo Ferrão de Paiva Martins, Inês Domingues da Silva Henríques
  • Patent number: 8764951
    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: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Anshu Pradhan, Robert Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 8764950
    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: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Anshu Pradhan, Robert Rozbicki
  • 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: 20140133006
    Abstract: A fixed image display device is disclosed, having an opaque insulating layer, a continuous electrolyte layer behind said insulating layer, a pixilated electrochemically active and electrochromic layer between the electrolyte layer and the insulating layer, and a pixilated electronically conductive counter electrode layer between the electrolyte layer and the insulating layer. The electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer have a lateral arrangement, and are in ionic contact with each other. Moreover, the insulating layer includes passages having an electronic conductor. At least one continuous motif electrode segment arranged behind the insulating layer, and electronically connected to at least two pixel elements of the electrochromic layer via the electronic conductors; and at least one continuous background electrode segment arranged behind the insulating layer, and electronically connected to at least two pixel elements of the counter electrode layer via electronic conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ACREO SWEDISH ICT AB
    Inventor: Anna MALMSTRÖM
  • Patent number: 8687261
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising a counter electrode layer comprised of lithium metal oxide which provides a high transmission in the fully intercalated state and which is capable of long-term stability, is disclosed. Methods of making an electrochromic device comprising such a counter electrode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc., Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Dane T. Gillaspie, Douglas G. Weir
  • Patent number: 8654431
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active matrix electrochromic device includes preparing a first substrate including a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode. An electrochromic layer is formed on the pixel electrode by an electrophoretic process which includes immersing the first substrate and a mesh spaced apart from each other in a solution. While the first substrate is immersed in the solution so that the pixel electrode is soaked therein, a channel of the thin film transistor is opened by applying a voltage to the gate electrode, a potential difference between the pixel electrode and the mesh is generated by connecting a voltage source between a terminal electrically connected to the source electrode and the mesh, and materials in the solution are deposited on the pixel electrode, thereby forming the electrochromic semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk-seok Chung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Publication number: 20140022621
    Abstract: Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 108 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: VIEW, INC.
    Inventors: Sridhar K. KAILASAM, Robin FRIEDMAN, Dane GILLASPIE, Anshu A. PRADHAN, Robert ROZBICKI, Disha MEHTANI
  • Patent number: 8625186
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound represented by the following General Formula (1) wherein E represents at least one of O, S, Se, and N—R; R represents at least one of a hydrogen atom, a substitutive aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and a substitutive aromatic hydrocarbon group; X1-X10 may be the same or different and each represent at least one of a hydrogen atom and a monovalent substituent; L1 and L2 may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent substituent; and A? and B? may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Shigenobu Hirano, Tsutomu Sato
  • Publication number: 20140002883
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic device including: two substrates opposed to each other; an electrode and a conductive reflection layer interposed between the two substrates; a first electrochromic coating layer interposed between the electrode and the conductive reflection layer; and an electrolyte layer interposed between the first electrochromic coating layer and the conductive reflection layer, whereby uniform discoloration and decolorization can be performed, the efficiency of power consumption can be enhanced, and a durability of the device and the speed of a decolorization reaction can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Sung Gon JUN, Hae Min CHOE, Yun Ho SHIN
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130250394
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device including a display substrate, a display electrode provided on the display substrate, a first electrochromic layer provided on the display electrode, an intermediate display electrode provided above the first electrochromic layer separately from the first electrochromic layer, a second electrochromic layer provided on and contacting the intermediate display electrode, an opposed substrate, an opposed electrode provided on the opposed substrate, and an electrolyte solution provided between a surface of the display substrate on which the display electrode is formed and a surface of the opposed substrate on which the opposed electrode is formed, wherein the intermediate display electrode contains a rod-shaped, whisker-shaped, or long-fiber-shaped electrically conductive fine particle, and at least a portion of a space in the electrically conductive fine particle is filled with a material forming the second electrochromic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Okada, Tohru Yashiro, Yoshihisa Naijo, Sukchan Kim, Shigenobu Hirano, Koh Fujimura, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Kazuaki Tsuji, Toshiya Sagisaka, Keiichiroh Yutani, Mamiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 8514168
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display (EPD) with thermal control is disclosed for controlling and maintaining an image in extreme temperature environments. Techniques are also disclosed for maintaining the EPD cell threshold voltage for EPD cells comprising an EPD display media at or above a desired level in an environment in which the EPD may be subjected to an extreme temperature. The techniques comprise sensing a sensed temperature associated with the EPD display media, determining whether the sensed temperature satisfies a criterion established to ensure that the display media temperature remains at a level associated with an acceptable EPD cell threshold voltage, and in the event it is determined that the sensed temperature does not satisfy the criterion, controlling the EPD display media temperature as required to bring the sensed temperature to a level that satisfies the criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Chung, Rong-Chang Liang, Robert A. Sprague
  • 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: 8493317
    Abstract: A reflection type display apparatus includes a light modulating layer having a first electrode having a light transmitting property on which an electroplating can be deposited, a second electrode disposed, in opposition to the first electrode, on a reflecting plate for reflecting light of a certain wavelength band, and an electrolytic solution containing a metal ion arranged in contact with the first and second electrodes. According to a density of current at an interface between the first electrode and the electrolytic solution, the light modulating layer controls a light transmitting ratio and a reflection ratio of the electroplating. In addition, a control unit sets a direction and the density of the current for depositing the electroplating of several colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20130135703
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound represented by the following General Formula (1) wherein E represents at least one of O, S, Se, and N—R; R represents at least one of a hydrogen atom, a substitutive aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and a substitutive aromatic hydrocarbon group; X1-X10 may be the same or different and each represent at least one of a hydrogen atom and a monovalent substituent; L1 and L2 may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent substituent; and A? and B? may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Shigenobu Hirano, Tsutomu Sato
  • 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: 8384983
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device includes a display substrate, a counter substrate facing the display substrate, counter electrodes formed on the counter substrate, at least first and second display electrodes arranged between the display substrate and the counter electrodes, the first display electrode and the second display electrode having a predetermined distance from each other, a first electrochromic layer arranged on the first display electrode and a second electrochromic layer arranged on the second display electrode, an electrolyte layer arranged between the respective first and the second display electrodes and the counter electrodes, and a protective layer made of an insulator material formed on a counter electrode facing side surface of one of the first and the second display electrodes such that the protective layer is sandwiched between the selected one of the first and the second display electrodes and a corresponding one of the first and the second electrochromic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Yashiro, Shigenobu Hirano, Yoshihisa Naijo, Koh Fujimura, Masahiro Yanagisawa, Masahiro Masuzawa, Hitoshi Arita
  • Patent number: 8379290
    Abstract: An active matrix electrochromic device array and a method of manufacturing the active matrix electrochromic device array may include a first substrate including a pixel electrode corresponding to each of the pixels, and an electrochromic layer; a second substrate including a counter electrode and a reflective layer arranged on the counter electrode, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are coupled to each other having a distance therebetween by a partition wall supporting the first substrate and the second substrate; and the partition wall isolates a space between the first substrate and the second substrate with respect to each of the pixels, thereby preventing or reducing an electrolyte filled in the space from being diffused toward a neighboring space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-tea Chun, Deuk-seok Chung