Patents Assigned to E Ink Corporation
  • Patent number: 10429715
    Abstract: A sub-assembly for use in an electro-optic display, the sub-assembly comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate, a lamination adhesive layer, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive ceramic layer, and a light-transmissive non-ceramic electrically-conductive layer positioned between the light transmissive electrically-conductive ceramic layer and the lamination adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Shyamala Subramanian, Ana L. Lattes, Peter Carsten Bailey Widger, David Darrell Miller
  • Patent number: 10388233
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for electronically erasing an externally addressed electrophoretic drawing device are described. An electronically-erasable drawing device comprises an electro-optic display medium and interdigitated electrodes disposed adjacent one surface of the medium and configured to drive the medium to an intermediate (gray) optical state. A mobile electronic drawing implement may include electrodes configured to apply a fringing electric field to an electro-optic display medium from one side of the medium, the fringing electric field being arranged to drive a portion of the display medium adjacent the implement to an intermediate optical state, the electrodes being movable relative to the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Stephen J. Telfer
  • Patent number: 10380954
    Abstract: Methods for driving electro-optic displays, especially bistable displays, include (a) using two-part waveforms, the first part of which is dependent only upon the initial state of the relevant pixel; (b) measuring the response of each individual pixel and storing for each pixel data indicating which of a set of standard drive schemes are to be used for that pixel; (c) for at least one transition in a drive scheme, applying multiple different waveforms to pixels on a random basis; and (d) when updating a limited area of the display, driving “extra” pixels in an edge elimination region to avoid edge effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Demetrious Mark Harrington, Kenneth R. Crounse, Alain Bouchard, Stephen J. Telfer, Ana L. Lattes
  • Patent number: 10372008
    Abstract: A wavelength selective reflection display (10) comprises a wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and a backing member (30) having a first, non-reflective optical state, and a second, reflective optical state. Both the wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and the backing member (30) are divided into pixels (40, 50, 60), and the backing member (30) is switchable between its first and second optical states on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The pixels of the backing member (30) are substantially aligned with those of the wavelength selective reflection medium (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Telfer, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Michael D. McCreary, David John Cole
  • Patent number: 10365533
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes: a first substrate on which a common electrode is provided; a second substrate on which a pixel electrode and a plurality of terminals are provided; dispersion liquid that is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and includes particles and a dispersion medium; and two or more connecting portions that electrically connect two or more terminals among the plurality of terminals respectively to different points of the common electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Akihito Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10366647
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for use in driving a display, especially a color electrophoretic display comprising frame generating means generating a succession of frame pulses at regular intervals; frame blanking generating means generating a succession of frame blanking pulses at the same intervals; a plurality of input lines each arranged to receive one of a plurality of differing input voltages (Vin1, . . . VinN), all of the same polarity; an output line capable of being connected to a device driver (106); and switching means (102A, . . . 102N) connecting the output line to one of the input lines when no frame blanking pulse is present, the switching means (102A, . . . 102N) being capable of changing the input line to which the output line is connected during successive frame periods, the switching means (102A, . . . 102N) being arranged to drain charge from the output line when a frame blanking pulse is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Zdzislaw Jan Szymborski
  • Patent number: 10353266
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of rendering an image on a reflective display wherein each pixel is capable of rendering a limited number of colors, each of which is rendered by predetermined set of waveforms stored in a waveform lookup table. Furthermore, the present invention provides for a method for rendering an image using such colors, having been chosen for optimal color rendition. This invention further provides for rendering a color image formed from a plurality of pixels on a reflective display wherein each pixel has a color selected from the group consisting of at least: red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, black and white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Bouchard, Stephen J. Telfer
  • Patent number: 10331005
    Abstract: A variable transmission display comprises an electrophoretic medium having electrically charged particles dispersed in a fluid, the electrophoretic medium being capable of assuming a light-transmissive state and a substantially non-light-transmissive state; a light-transmissive first electrode disposed adjacent one side of the electrophoretic medium; light-transmissive second electrodes disposed adjacent the other side of the electrophoretic medium; and voltage means for varying the potential each of the second electrodes independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Dirk Hertel
  • Patent number: 10324354
    Abstract: A first electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates, and an adhesive layer and a layer of electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates, the adhesive layer comprising a mixture of a polymeric adhesive material and a hydroxyl containing polymer having a number average molecular weight not greater than about 5000. A second electro-optic display is similar to the first but has an adhesive layer comprising a thermally-activated cross-linking agent to reduce void growth when the display is subjected to temperature changes. A third electro-optic display, intended for writing with a stylus or similar instrument, is produced by forming a layer of an electro-optic material on an electrode; depositing a substantially solvent-free polymerizable liquid material over the electro-optic material; and polymerizing the polymerizable liquid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Michael D. McCreary, Charles Howie Honeyman, Bin Wu
  • Patent number: 10323128
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic particle is a method of manufacturing an electrophoretic particle including a particle and a particle surface treatment agent which is bonded to the particle, the method including preparing a mixture containing a plurality of the particles, the particle surface treatment agent, an unreacted product of a raw material used at the time of generating the particle surface treatment agent, and a reaction by-product generated at the time of generating the particle surface treatment agent, the mixture having a content of the particle surface treatment agent which is set to be equal to or greater than 70% by weight in the mixture except for the plurality of particles; and bonding the particle surface treatment agent to a surface of the particle in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Harunobu Komatsu, Hiroki Nakahara, Masahiko Nakazawa, Takashi Hiraiwa, Kozo Shitagami
  • Patent number: 10324577
    Abstract: A writeable display medium incorporating various sensing elements into the backplane of the writeable display medium so that the sensing elements can cause the associated pixels to update immediately in contrast to state-of-the art writeable displays that rely on a feedback loop between a digitizing layer and a display driver that controls the output of a display. As a stylus is moved over the display, a signal emitted from the stylus (e.g., an electromagnetic field) will change the state of a transistor associated with a pixel, resulting in a nearly instantaneous state change in the display (i.e., white to black).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Krishna Sainis, Seth J. Bishop, Ana L. Lattes, Ming-Chuan Hung, Shi-Lin Li
  • Patent number: 10319313
    Abstract: Video displays using relatively low frame rates of about 10 to about 20 frames per second, but having acceptable video quality are described. The displays may use bistable media, and may be driven such that the medium, when driven, changes its optical properties continuously during the driving of each frame. The displays may use an electro-optic medium such that the frame period is from about 50 to about 200 per cent of the switching time of the electro-optic medium at the driving voltage used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Harris, Shamus Ford Patry, Michael D. McCreary
  • Patent number: 10319314
    Abstract: A method for addressing a bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel comprises applying an addressing pulse to drive the pixel to a first optical state; leaving the pixel undriven for a period of time, thereby permitting the pixel to assume a second optical state different from the first optical state; and applying to the pixel a refresh pulse which substantially restores the pixel to the first optical state, the refresh pulse being short relative to the addressing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Karl R. Amundson, Alexandros Cosmos Arango, Jay Britton Ewing, Robert W. Zehner
  • Patent number: 10317767
    Abstract: The subject matter presented herein relates to a method for producing a backplane for electro-optic displays. The method may include providing a substrate coated with a first conductive material on a first side and a second conductive material on a second side, the second side being positioned opposite from the first side, patterning the first conductive material by cutting through the first conductive material, wherein the patterning of the first conductive material creates electrical isolated conductive segments to be controlled by a driver circuit and creating a plurality of vias on the substrate, the plurality of vias extending through the substrate and providing electrical conductivity between the first and second sides. The method may further include creating a plurality of conductive traces on the second side of the substrate by patterning the second conductive material by locally align the vias to the driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., George G. Harris, Keith A. Jacobsen, Henry Ware Gale
  • Patent number: 10317762
    Abstract: An active matrix circuit substrate includes a first power supply line, a second power supply line, a third power supply line, a fourth power supply line, a first control line, and a second control line; a pixel electrode and a memory circuit; a common electrode that is electrically connected to the fourth power supply line; a capacitor that is provided between the third power supply line and the pixel electrode; a first switch circuit that is provided between the first power supply line and the pixel electrode and operates on the basis of an output of the memory circuit and a potential of the first control line; and a second switch circuit that is provided between the second power supply line and the pixel electrode and operates on the basis of the output of the memory circuit and a potential of the second control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10282033
    Abstract: A method for rendering drawing events on an electro-optic display such that a stylus (pen) stroke is perceived as actually writing on the electro-optic display. Typically, a first line segment is detected and its area is updated using a first drive scheme having faster waveforms. Then a second line segment is detected and its area is updated using the first drive scheme. Thereafter, the areas of both line segments are updated using a second drive scheme different from the first drive scheme, typically involving slower waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Crounse, Timothy J. O'Malley
  • Patent number: 10276109
    Abstract: A method for driving an electro-optic display having a front electrode, a backplane and a display medium positioned between the front electrode and the backplane, the method comprising of applying a first driving phase to the display medium, the first driving phase having a first signal and a second signal, the first signal having a first polarity, a first amplitude as a function of time, and a first duration, the second signal succeeding the first signal and having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, a second amplitude as a function of time, and a second duration, such that the sum of the first amplitude as a function of time integrated over the first duration and the second amplitude as a function of time integrated over the second duration produces a first impulse offset. The method further comprising applying a second driving phase to the display medium, the second driving phase produces a second impulse offset, wherein the sum of the first and second impulse offset is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Crounse, Christopher L. Hoogeboom, Stephen J. Telfer
  • Patent number: 10270939
    Abstract: An image is rendered on a display having a limited number of primary colors by (104) combining input data representing the color of a pixel to be rendered with error data to form modified input data, determining in a color space the simplex (208—typically a tetrahedron) enclosing the modified input data and the primary colors associated with the simplex, converting (210) the modified image data to barycentric coordinates based upon the primary colors associated with the simplex and (212) setting output data to the primary having the largest barycentric coordinate, calculating (214) the difference between the modified input data and the output data for the pixel, thus generating error data, applying (106) this error data to at least one later-rendered pixel, and applying the output data to the display and thus rendering the image on the display. Apparatus and computer-storage media for carrying out this process are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Crounse
  • Patent number: 10254620
    Abstract: The invention includes photoelectrophoretic displays and methods for creating reflective images using photoelectrophoretic displays. A photoelectrophoretic display typically includes a transparent electrode, an encapsulated photoelectrophoretic medium, and a rear electrode. An image is created by supplying an electrical potential between the electrodes that is insufficient to cause the photoelectrophoretic particles to move to the transparent electrode in the absence of incident light. In the presence of incident light, however, the photoelectrophoretic particles move to the viewing surface (transparent electrode), thereby producing an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil Krishna Sainis
  • Patent number: 10254621
    Abstract: Improvements in the production of electro-optic displays include: (a) use of a masking film to keep a selected area of a backplane (such as a front electrode contact) free from electro-optic material; (b) spray coating of electrophoretic capsules on to a substrate under controlled conditions; (c) forming a monolayer of capsules on a substrate by prior deposition of a water-swellable polymer; and (d) overcoating a layer of electro-optic material with a solvent-free polymerizable liquid material, contacting this layer with a light-transmissive electrode layer, and polymerizing the liquid material to adhere the electrode layer to the electro-optic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Bull, Jay William Anseth, George G. Harris