Patents Assigned to E Ink Corporation
  • ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIA AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20070201124
    Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Whitesides, Qingye Zhou, Robert Zehner, Karl Amundson, Suzanne Balko, Alberto Goenaga, Peter Valianators, Charles Honeyman, Elizabeth Gates, Matthew King, Russell Wilcox
  • ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIA AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20070200795
    Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Whitesides, Qingye Zhou, Robert Zehner, Karl Amundson, Suzanne Balko, Alberto Goenaga, Peter Valianatos, Charles Honeyman, Elizabeth Gates, Matthew King, Russell Wilcox
  • VOLTAGE MODULATED DRIVER CIRCUITS FOR ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20070200874
    Abstract: A method and system for applying addressing voltages to pixels of a display involves receiving input data. The input data includes an indication of an addressing voltage impulse to be applied to a pixel via an electrode. One or more voltage sources are selected, to provide the addressing voltage impulse. The one or more voltage sources each have a pre-selected voltage, The selected one or more voltage sources are electrically connected to an electrode to apply the addressing voltage impulse to the pixel. The invention also provides a method of driving an electro-optic display which uses an intermediate image of reduced bit depth, and a method of driving an electro-optic display which uses a limited number of differing drive voltages, with higher voltage pulses being used before lower voltage pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Amundson, Theodore Sjodin, Chia-Chen Su, Demetrious Harrington, Holly Gates
  • Dielectrophoretic displays
    Patent number: 7259744
    Abstract: A dielectrophoretic display comprises a substrate having walls defining at least one cavity, the cavity having a viewing surface and a side wall inclined to the viewing surface; a suspending fluid contained within the cavity; a plurality of at least one type of particle suspended within the suspending fluid; and means for applying to the substrate an electric field effect effective to cause dielectrophoretic movement of the particles to the side wall of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Alexi C. Arango, Joseph M. Jacobson
  • Electrophoretic display comprising optical biasing element
    Patent number: 7256766
    Abstract: The invention features an electrophoretic display element. The display element includes an electrophoretic display medium, an optical biasing element to modify an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element, and an addressing electrode to address the electrophoretic display medium. The optical biasing element may include, for example, a distinct layer of material, or may include particles or molecules embedded in a layer of the display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Albert, Barrett Comiskey
  • Electrophoretic particles, and processes for the production thereof
    Patent number: 7247379
    Abstract: Copper chromite particles can advantageously be used as black particles in electrophoretic media and displays. Preferably, the copper chromite particles are coated with a silica coating and a polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Edward Pullen, Thomas H. Whitesides, Charles H. Honeyman, Barrett Comiskey, Jonathan D. Albert
  • Encapsulated electrophoretic displays having a monolayer of capsules and materials and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 7242513
    Abstract: An encapsulated electrophoretic display having a plurality of non-spherical capsules disposed substantially in a single layer on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley, Katharine Geramita, Karl R. Amundson, Michael L. Steiner, Paul Drzaic, Andrew Loxley, Barrett Comiskey, Peter J. Valianatos
  • COMPONENTS AND TESTING METHODS FOR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20070153361
    Abstract: A laminate comprising a solid electro-optic medium and an electrically conductive layer is tested by passing it over a pair of electrodes at different potentials, with the electrically conductive layer lying on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the electrodes. An article which can be tested by this method, and which is useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium and a release sheet comprising an electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy Danner, Jonathan Zalesky, John Ritter, Timothy O'Malley, Thomas Whitesides, Shamus Patry, Alain Bouchard, Richard Webber
  • ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAY WITH EDGE SEAL
    Publication number: 20070152956
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy Danner, Shamus Patry, Charles Honeyman, Thomas Whitesides, Michael McCreary, Gregg Duthaler
  • MATERIALS FOR USE IN ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20070146310
    Abstract: The image stability of electrophoretic media, comprising a plurality of particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, can be improved by including in the fluid either a polystyrene or an aggregating diblock copolymer which forms micelle-like structures in the fluid, the diblock copolymer having a first block soluble in the fluid and a second block not swellable by the fluid. In variable transmission electrophoretic media, haze can be reduced by using as the fluid a mixture of a partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon and a terpene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Paolini, George Harris, Charles Honeyman, Craig Herb, Richard Webber, Thomas Whitesides
  • Electrophoretic medium with improved stability
    Patent number: 7236290
    Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises a liquid and at least one particle disposed within the liquid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the medium. The medium further comprises a free radical scavenger selected from the group consisting of (a) stable free radicals; and (b) polymeric free radical scavengers comprising a plurality of free radical scavenging groups attached to a polymeric chain. The medium is desirably encapsulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Libing Zhang, Charles H. Honeyman
  • Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
    Patent number: 7236292
    Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
  • Electrophoretic displays using gaseous fluids
    Patent number: 7230751
    Abstract: Various improvements are provided in gas-based electrophoretic displays, including (a) the use of water getters to remove water from the gas; (b) the use of electron accepting or donating gases; (c) the use of electrophoretic polymer particles having high glass transition temperatures; (d) lateral movement of electrophoretic particles within the display; and (e) the use of variable thickness coatings on electrodes to provide for gray scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Guy M. Danner, Karl R. Amundson, Charles Howie Honeyman, Russell J. Wilcox, Michael D. McCreary
  • Electrophoretic media and processes for the production thereof
    Patent number: 7230750
    Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Qingye Zhou, Russell J. Wilcox
  • ELECTROPHORETIC PARTICLES AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20070128352
    Abstract: In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having about 1 to 15 per cent by weight of a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Charged or chargeable groups can be incorporated into the polymer or can be bonded to the particles separately from the polymer. The polymer-coated particles can be prepared by first attaching a polymerizable or polymerization-initiating group to the particle and then reacting the particle with one or more polymerizable monomers or oligomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Honeyman, Elizabeth Moran, Libing Zhang, Anthony Pullen, Emily Pratt, Kimberly Houde, Matthew King, Craig Herb, Richard Paolini
  • Processes for forming backplanes for electro-optic displays
    Patent number: 7223672
    Abstract: A non-linear element is formed on a flexible substrate by securing the substrate to a rigid carrier, forming the non-linear element, and then separating the flexible substrate from the carrier. The process allows flexible substrates to be processed in a conventional fab intended to process rigid substrates. In a second method, a transistor is formed on a insulating substrate by forming gate electrodes, depositing a dielectric layer, a semiconductor layer and a conductive layer, patterning the conductive layer to form source, drain and pixel electrodes, covering the channel region of the resultant transistor with an etch-resistant material and etching using the etch-resistant material and the conductive layer as a mask, the etching extending substantially through the semiconductor layer between adjacent transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Kazlas, Nathan R. Kane, Andrew P. Ritenour
  • COMPONENTS AND METHODS FOR USE IN ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20070109219
    Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises, in order, a backplane comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; a main adhesive layer; and at least one of a light-transmissive protective layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. The electro-optic layer may be in direct contact with the backplane or separated therefrom by a thin auxiliary layer of adhesive. The main adhesive layer may be colored to provide a color filter array. An inverted front plane laminate useful in forming such a display comprises the same layers except that the backplane is replaced by a release sheet. The display combines good low temperature performance and good resolution at higher temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Whitesides, Richard Paolini, Michael Walls, Seungman Sohn, Michael McCreary, Guy Danner, Charles Honeyman, Gregg Duthaler, Michael Steiner, John Ritter
  • ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS, AND MATERIALS FOR USE THEREIN
    Publication number: 20070097489
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Harit Doshi, Charles Honeyman, Seungman Sohn, Simon Pang, Lan Cao, Bin Wu, David Miller, Gregg Duthaler, James Araujo
  • ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIA AND DISPLAYS WITH IMPROVED BINDER
    Publication number: 20070091417
    Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises discrete droplets of an electrophoretic internal phase comprising a fluid and carbon black particles in the fluid. The droplets are surrounded by a polyurethane binder formed by a diisocyanate and a polyether diol, at least 20 mole per cent of the diisocyanate being an aromatic diisocyanate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lan Cao, Elizabeth Gates, David Miller, Guy Danner, Richard Paolini
  • METHODS FOR DRIVING ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS, AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN
    Publication number: 20070091418
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy Danner, Karl Amundson, Robert Zehner, Alexi Arango, Jay Ewing