Abstract: Conventional retro-reflective static traffic signage is primarily constructed of either heavy metal containing high refractive index glass beads embedded in a film or narrow viewing angle corner cubes. Disclosed herein are embodiments of static display signage having polymer-based circularly symmetric convex protrusions absent of heavy metals which reflect light in a semi-retro-reflective manner with wider viewing angles.

Abstract: A total internal reflection-based display may be driven by an apparatus and method to move electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of an evanescent wave region to create static and video images. The apparatus may comprise one or more of a host microprocessor/controller, display controller, TIR display panel, frame buffer memory 1, frame buffer memory 2, host interface, temperature/environmental sensor, timing controller, look up table, power management integrated circuit or display panel interface.

Abstract: Brightness in total internal reflection image displays comprising of a color filter array may be enhanced by tuning the size and shape of the convex protrusions. Each protrusion or group of two or more protrusions may be aligned with a color filter sub-pixel such as red, green or blue, and with a thin film transistor. Each protrusion or group of two or more protrusions may be tuned to a specific size and shape with respect to the color filter sub-pixel it may be aligned with on a pixel by pixel basis. This may enhance the reflectance at the wavelength matching the desired color of the respective pixel.

Abstract: Optical states in TIR-based image displays may be modulated by movement of electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of the evanescent wave region at the interface of a high refractive index convex protrusions and a low refractive index medium. The movement of particles into the evanescent wave region may frustrate TIR and form dark states at pixels. Movement of particles out of the evanescent wave region may allow for TIR of incident light to form bright states at pixels. The movement of the particles may be controlled by employing the drive methods of pulse width modulation, voltage modulation or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A textured surface on the inward side of the high refractive index transparent front sheet in a reflective image display may lead to a display with a wider viewing angle. The textured surface may be in a random or a patterned array and may comprise microstructures that exhibit total internal reflection and Fresnel reflections. Electrophoretically mobile particles of similar size to the microstructures may improve coverage on the front sheet and improve frustration of TIR leading to darker dark states.

Abstract: A total internal reflection image display comprised of dry electrostatically mobile particles composed of a solid material stably floating as a dispersant in a gas and exhibiting a high fluidity in an aerosol state may be sealed between the transparent sheet capable of total internal reflection such as comprising a plurality of transparent convex or hemi-spherical protrusions and the rear support, partition walls and the dry particles may be moved by application of a voltage bias. A method of manufacture is described comprising of the steps of forming partition walls, filling with dry particles, sealing the particles into cells or compartments.

Abstract: A high efficiency, long life, video rate, electrophoretic display comprises fluid containing sub-pixel structures that are periodic, and aligned with a color filter array. A fluid comprising of electrophoretically mobile particles is compartmentalized at the size scale of the individual filters (one per filter) such that the particles may be moved to either allow light to be returned through the same filter back towards the viewer by total internal reflection (TIR) or conventional reflection to create a light state or to be absorbed by the particles to create a dark state. High reflectance is achieved through the use of structures that avoid ITO layers in the light path and reflecting most light, by virtue of a dual control of light by TIR and transmission to a reflector. In one embodiment the structures are in the shape of truncated pyramids.

Abstract: Brightness in conventional total internal reflection image displays may decrease due to incident light passing through the dark pupil region in the white state. Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to an enhanced brightness total internal reflection-based image display utilizing a front sheet having an array of modified hemispherical protrusions with a partially light reflective surface. Modifying the structure of the convex protrusions of the transparent front sheet and adding a light reflective layer on specific areas of the protrusions may increase brightness in the white state. Controlling the size, depth and angle of the structure of the convex protrusions may direct incident light by one or more of total internal reflection and specular reflection in a controllable manner to enhance brightness of the display.

Abstract: Maximizing brightness in conventional total internal reflection image displays may lead to more applications where they may be used. A refractive index perturbation array may be used to enhance the brightness. Control of the size, spacing and refractive index in an index perturbation array layer may lead controlled diffraction of light and lead to enhanced brightness in total internal reflection image displays.

Abstract: Corner cubes are well known retro-reflective devices. Corner cubes may be employed for high brightness in reflective image displays. An embodiment of a reflective image display is disclosed that employs corner cubes with metallized surfaces. Light reflection and absorption may be modulated with electrophoretically mobile light absorbing particles or electrofluidic systems. Display images may be created to convey information to a viewer.

Abstract: Reflective image displays use minimal power but have limited use in low ambient conditions. Emissive image displays are intrinsically reflective and must use significantly more power in high ambient light conditions to optimize the image quality which greatly limits the battery life. To date no single display technology has been able to provide excellent image quality in all ambient lighting conditions. The embodiments described herein involves the efficient hybridization of controlled reflection with controlled efficient emission to improve both the practicality and the overall performance of the display.

Abstract: Brightness in total internal reflection image displays may be enhanced by addition of a plurality of light reflecting particles. The particles may be charged, uncharged or weakly charged. The particles may be designed such that they do not enter the evanescent wave region and frustrate TIR when near the surface of the convex protrusions but be close enough to reflect light rays that pass through the dark pupil region to enhance brightness.

Abstract: A reflective image display comprising of a reflection enhancing layer comprising of a plurality of approximately spherical indentations is placed adjacent a sheet comprising of a plurality of hemispherical protrusions. The radii of curvature of the spherical indentations substantially coincides with the center of curvature of the adjacently located hemispheres to enhance the white paper-like appearance of the display while efficiently enabling optional color filters to yield saturated color.

Abstract: Brightness in conventional total internal reflection image displays may decrease due to incident light passing through the dark pupil region in the white state. Adding sub-wavelength structures to the surface of the convex protrusions on the transparent front sheet may increase brightness in the white state. Control of the size, spacing, shape and refractive index of the sub-wavelength structures may lead to zeroth order reflection and enhanced brightness.

Abstract: Total internal reflection image displays are equipped with a bistability enhancement particle interaction layer. The bistability enhancement layer imparts bistability in the display at 0V or power off. The bistability enhancement layer may hold particles near the surface in the evanescent wave region at the front electrode at 0V or power off to retain a dark state image. The particle interaction layer may hold particles near the surface of the rear electrode at 0V or power off to retain a bright state image. Control of particle density improves bistability.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to lateral migration of particles in a totally internally reflective displays. In certain embodiments, the reflective image displays include partial and full walls to form partitions within the display. The walls mitigate diffusion and lateral migration or drift of electrophoretically mobile particles due to lateral electric fields at adjacent pixels. This improves image quality, bistability and long-term display performance.

Abstract: A brightness enhancing structure for a reflective display incorporates a transparent sheet having an inward hemispherical surface, a backplane electrode, an apertured membrane between the hemispherical surface and the backplane electrode, and a light reflecting electrode on an outward side of the membrane. A voltage source connected between the electrodes is switchable to apply a first voltage to move the particles inwardly through the apertured membrane toward the backplane electrode, and a second voltage to move the particles outwardly through the apertured membrane toward the light reflecting electrode. Movement of the particles toward the light reflecting electrode frustrates total internal reflection of light rays at the hemispherical surface.

Abstract: Improvements and modifications are provided in the type of frustrated total internal reflection (TIR) systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,885,496; 6,891,658; 7,286,280; 7,760,417 and 8,040,591. The improvements and modifications include various methods to improve display operation of hemispherical beaded front plane TIR systems such as (a) inhibit or prevent the undesired non-uniform distribution and lateral migration of charged, electrophoretically mobile, TIR frustrating particles by encapsulating or tethering the particles to the beaded front plane surface; (b) inhibit or prevent the settling of the TIR frustrating particles such as modifying the viscosity of the low refractive index medium; and (c) inhibit or prevent the non-uniformity of the applied electric field during display operation such as using a conforming rear electrode.

Abstract: Reflective image display architecture embodiments are disclosed comprising a perforated continuous reflective sheet. The perforated continuous sheet comprises a coating that provides a threshold to particle movement. The coating may be designed to provide a passive or electro-active physical barrier. The coating improves bistability of the display.

Abstract: The brightness of a TIR-based display is enhanced with a registered reflective element by recycling and reflecting light that passes through the dark pupil region of each hemi-spherical protrusion in the hemi-spherical surface back to the viewer. A method to fabricate a brightness enhanced TIR display comprising an apertured membrane with a thin conductive reflective metal layer facing and registered with the pupils of the hemi-spherical surface.